About - People
Carl Hall
CEO & Chairman
As CEO and Chairman, Carl leads a highly experienced management team who control the creative, technical, financial and commercial direction of the Group. He has accumulated formidable industry experience and knowledge, having produced and executive produced more than 600 hours of programming for global audiences and secured sales and output deals worldwide.
Carl founded Parthenon Entertainment Limited in 2002 as a producer and distributor of factual programming. Parthenon then expanded and, in 2008, the company launched Parthenon Kids under his leadership and vision. Carl has driven the continued growth and infrastructure of the company, from its headquarters in Chorleywood, London to encompass production and sales offices in Bristol, Canada and Munich.
Parthenon Media Group was formed in 2009 as parent company to Parthenon Entertainment and is owned outright by Carl. Since then, Carl has radically grown the business both organically and through strategic acquisitions, to make it one of the UK’s leading independent TV media groups. Companies which form part of Parthenon Media Group include Bristol-based CGI and visual effects studios, 422 South, Canadian-based production company, Arcadia Entertainment and London post-production sound studio, Barbershop Studios.
Connie Hodson
Chief Commercial Officer
As Chief Commercial Officer of Parthenon Media Group, Connie oversees all legal and business operations. A key aspect to Connie’s role is the expansion of Parthenon’s rights distribution business including third party acquisitions, co-productions and pre-sales of Parthenon’s originally produced content as well as the representation of third party content. Working closely with Mike Shanks, Connie manages the day to day running of the Group’s infrastructure and its expanding divisions including multimedia rights, branded entertainment, consumer products and marketing.
Prior to joining Parthenon, Connie worked at HIT Entertainment managing the acquisition, production and exploitation of HIT’s Children’s properties such as Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and Angelina Ballerina, following which Connie then headed up the Legal and Business Affairs division for HIT Wildlife’s factual slate.
Connie’s role as Chief Commercial Officer is integral to new business development and all commercial opportunities for the Group.
Mike Shanks
Chief Financial and Operations Manager
Mike is responsible for the Group's global financial, strategic planning and corporate development. As Chief Finance and Operations Officer, Mike has responsibility for the performance and development of all business units and works closely with the senior management team, overseeing business development and new investment initiatives. Working closely with Connie Hodson, Mike plays a key role in the Group’s development, including commercial opportunities and acquisitions.
Mike has over 10 years experience of working in the international TV industry. He joined HIT Entertainment in September 2000 and during his time there rose from Financial Controller to become Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer for the global TV & channels, production and consumer products divisions.
Danny Tipping
Director of Production
Danny Tipping, Director of Production, has accumulated over 12 years of experience working for broadcasters including Channel 4 and Discovery. He has overseen the production of more than 300 hours of international programming and heads the production division at Parthenon Entertainment.
As Director of Production, he manages Parthenon’s production units in Chorleywood and Bristol from development through to delivery and works alongside the CEO to steer the creative vision for the company. As well as managing broadcaster relationships and securing commissions and co-productions in the UK and the US, Danny manages the company’s ever expanding slate of original commissions and international co-productions. He also oversees the company’s in-house technical and production management teams.
Leona Connell
Director of Global Sales & Acquisitions, Factual
Leona Connell is responsible for overseeing worldwide sales and acquisitions across the company’s factual business.
Leona also works closely with the in-house production team to ensure a fully integrated sales and acquisition strategy is set in place for all projects. As part of her role, she is also expanding the current producer base to work with more companies to cement international distribution relationships.
With over 15 years experience in the international TV industry, Leona started her career at ITEL as Senior Programming Manager, then joined IMG Entertainment in 2001 as VP of Sales and Acquisitions, overseeing sales of programming in English speaking territories and Western Europe.
Fluent in French and Spanish, Leona has developed close working links with media partners globally and overseen a range of exclusive representation deals with key factual and entertainment producers.
Marie Chappelow
Director of Global Sales and Acquisitions, Children’s Brands
As Director of Global Sales & Acquisitions, Children’s Brands, Marie Chappelow is responsible for overseeing sales and acquisitions activity across the company’s global children’s division, encompassing international acquisitions, co-productions, programme sales and licensing.
With a thorough knowledge of, and passion for, children's programming, Marie manages the international sales team whilst liaising with children’s buyers and commissioners, production companies and licensees on a global basis.
Fluent in French and Spanish, and with over 16 years experience in international media, Marie started her career at Fox Sports International ,licensing sports rights and sponsorship deals, then moved to become VP of programmme distribution, EMEA, at Hit Entertainment, developing its expansive range of children's properties, before joining Parthenon Entertainment.
Chris Baldwin
Group Financial Controller
Chris manages an in-house team of experienced finance personnel. He is responsible for all the Group entities around the world ensuring compliance with Group accounting policies, production of all consolidated budgets and forecasts and ensuring compliance with local tax regulations in all areas of operation. He is also responsible for management reporting and the structuring of the financial operations of the Group. Prior to joining Parthenon, Chris was Finance Director at Entara, which merged with Parthenon in 2007, and he has accumulated over 8 years experience of working in the TV industry. He has also worked for Elision, Merrill Lynch HSBC and McDonald’s in a number of financial roles.
