He was an Executive Producer at Thames Television until 1989 when he set up Pineapple Productions. He merged with BDP Media ten years later and became Director of Broadcast Programming until 2003. He is now freelance series producer and director – and writer.
As the programme editor of Afternoon Plus for Thames he was nominated for an Emmy for ‘Maya Angelou in Performance’. He made major documentaries about Rudolf Nureyev, the 200th anniversary of the Derby and the history of smoking.
For the past ten years, John had the great pleasure of sitting on the board of a remarkable radio station, CSRfm. ending up as chairman, a role he has just relinquished.
CSR 97.4FM is run by students and local community members in Canterbury, Kent. It is licenced by Ofcom to serve Canterbury and district, although it is available world wide on the net. Since it has to adhere to the rules laid down by Ofcom, young volunteers gain a real insight into the media world, whether as producers, technicians, presenters or marketers.
Listen for a while. You’ll be impressed.
Recent productions
‘Why Jason Died’ a 50’ drama-documentary about unexpected child death for the Department of Education and Skills.
‘Six and a half inches’ Corporate for Leander Club with Sir Matthew Pinsent extolling the virtues of the rowing club which made him so successful.
‘Galloper Jack’ Documentary about Jack Seely the man who led the last cavalry charge in British military history in 1918.
Between 1999 and 2003, John made over 300 hours of programming as Director of Programmes for BDP Media including ‘Great Wine Walks’ for BBC UK Food; ‘Newman Meets’ with Nanette Newman; ‘Power Food’; ‘Waitrose In Season’; ‘Body and Soul’; ‘Orgasmic Organic’ for the Carlton Food Network. With Pineapple Productions, various series for the BBC, ITV and Carlton including ’Mavis Catches Up With’, ‘Books by My Bedside’, ‘Anne Robinson at the Good Housekeeping Institute’, ‘Local Hero’, and ‘Ideal Home Cooks’, one of the earliest mast-head series on British television.