Following its Channel 4 growth fund investment, Glasgow based production company Freedom Scripted today announces two senior hires with Nancy Napper Canter as Development Executive and Mark Raeburn as Chief Financial Officer, as part of its plans to scale up the company.

With extensive knowledge of the financial management of indie production companies, Mark Raeburn joins as CFO from Channel 4, where he oversaw a budget of £700 million during his eight years as Head of Programme Finance. He also supports a handful of select indies in both a financial and commercial capacity, including Uplands, Minnow, Curious, Rebel TV and Salamander Media. Prior to joining Channel 4, Mark worked at multiple major international companies, including Warner Bros Distribution, Castle Rock International and Renowned Films.

Mark is integral to the growth plans for Freedom Scripted, helping shape and define its business strategy starting as an adviser in 2021. He supported the company as it sought investment, which in the end came from the Channel 4 Growth Fund in June this year. In his role as CFO, Mark will be tapping into the full breadth of his experience and expertise alongside Creative Director Mike Ellen and the rest of the team.

Nancy Napper Canter’s brief as Development Executive will see her further expanding Freedom Scripted’s slate of diverse stories. As a mentor for the Channel 4 4Screenwriting programme, Nancy will also act as a driving force for discovering, supporting and bringing in new writers to television drama. Nancy has worked across both scripted and factual shows at a range of indie production companies including Unigram, Mammoth, Drama Republic and Eleven Film. Her latest credit is for the upcoming feature film Tetris for Apple with Taron Egerton.

As part of its continuing commitment to the development and training of the next generation of talent, Freedom is also working with BECTU Vision to recruit a trainee script editor who will join the team in January 2023. Development Script Editor Tessa Buchanan originally joined the Freedom team three years ago through Screen Scotland’s New Entrant’s Training Team.

As Freedom continues to expand, the company also plans to appoint a new Head of Production early in the new year.

Nancy Napper Canter, Development Executive at Freedom Scripted, says, “I’ve been working on a freelance basis with the Freedom team on several of their superb projects for just over a year, so this role feels like the next natural step. At the core of our work is a genuine commitment to diverse storytelling, talent and freedom of expression. I really look forward to working more with the brilliant team as we embark on an exciting new chapter.”

Mark Raeburn, Chief Financial Officer at Freedom Scripted says “This is a great time to be joining Freedom Scripted, as they continue to expand the business and slate. From working with them on their recent business plan to securing the Channel 4 Growth Fund investment, I know we’ll be able to elevate the slate and the business even further.”