Role: 1102
Click here to apply for role
A Non-Executive Director (Non-Exec) is required for Axis Studios, a £23m turnover, award-winning animation and visual effects company. Axis has built a global reputation for creating commissioned and original entertainment experiences in Film, Television, Games and Theme Parks. Their studios are based in Glasgow, Bristol and London.
We are looking for an experienced Non-Executive Director who can demonstrate a successful track record as Director of a company which they have grown from £20m to £100m+ mkt cap or PE equivalent. The Non-Exec will provide guidance on strategy development and improved governance. A knowledge of the sector and fundraising along with international growth experience is essential.
The Board meets monthly via virtual meetings, in person meetings are held in Glasgow; the time requirement will be 2-3 days per month covering formal and informal time initially, more during induction. The remuneration is iro £20k pa.
Business Concept, Goals and Objectives
- Established in 1999 by four co-founders, Axis Studios is a visual effects specialist working in animated entertainment and VFX with original and ground-breaking content of the highest quality that engages and resonates with audiences worldwide.
- With three UK studios in Glasgow, Bristol and London Axis has built a reputation for creating commissioned entertainment experiences in the Film, Television, Games and Theme Parks.
- The company, which employs 325 people, creates content for global clients including Universal Studios, the BBC and Netflix.
- Its visual effects team has recently worked on productions including Sky One’s ‘A Discovery of Witches’, Sky Atlantic’s ‘Chernobyl’, HBO’s ‘Catherine The Great’ and ‘Shaun The Sheep: Farmageddon’, the stop motion film by Bristol-based studio Aardman Animations. Axis’s animation credits include the animated Netflix series ‘Love, Death + Robots’ and Nickelodeon series ‘Lego City Adventures’.
- The company tripled turnover to £15 million between 2015 and 2018 and is forecasting £23m turnover for 2020.
- Axis is looking to expand into international studios in North America and elsewhere to allow proximity to the key parts of the entertainment industry.
- The company plans to look at an IPO listing by or before 2025 on the AIM market in order to seize the considerable opportunities that exist in animation and VFX, in what has been described as a golden age for content creation.
- In addition to commissioned work, Axis is developing and producing their own won content increasing creative ambition and establishing additional revenue streams through IP exploitation.
- The company is looking to professionalise its Board to lead the business and enable it to continue its growth.
Non-Exec Director Requirements/Criteria
- Experienced Non-Executive Director who is able to motivate, influence and inspire the Executive team and other Board members.
- A Board level Executive Director within ideally the entertainment/media sector, able to demonstrate success in leading growth and international expansion in a £20–100m turnover business.
- Must be entrepreneurial and understand the challenges of a pre-IPO stage business.
- Knowledge of fundraising, IPO and PE investment experience.
- Able to offer guidance on strategy and see the risks and opportunities for the business.
- You should have enough time availability to make an effective contribution.
Time commitment is 2-3 days per month for Board meetings plus time for strategy and business update calls, initially more during induction. Board meetings are held monthly and currently are virtual, in normal circumstances meetings are held in Glasgow. Remuneration will be iro £20k per annum.
Application Closing Date: Friday 16th October 2020
