WFTV unveils 2026 cohort for Julie Burnell Scholarship: WFTV Production Management Programme
June 18, 2026
Women in Film and TV (UK) (WFTV) has announced the 2026 cohort of the Julie Burnell Scholarship: WFTV Production Management Programme, delivered in partnership with the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund and backed by contributions from UK TV productions.
Returning for a second year after a successful launch in 2025, the programme continues to build momentum, expanding its impact and strengthening its role in supporting women working in production management and line producing across the North of England. The initiative reflects WFTV’s ongoing commitment to driving progression and opening up leadership pathways within high-end TV (HETV).
This year, five standout participants have been selected to take part in the intensive four-month programme, designed to accelerate careers and equip the next generation of production leaders with the tools, confidence and industry connections to thrive.
The 2026 cohort:
Kate Larking, Line Producer
Kate is a freelance Line Producer in HETV and film based in the Northwest. Her credits include A Woman of Substance (Channel 4/The Forge), Floodlights (BBC/Expectation) and Ridley Road (BBC/Red Production Company). Kate was Head of Production at Duck Soup Films where she oversaw the International Emmy Award and Welsh BAFTA-winning Lost Boys & Fairies (BBC 1) and Dreamers (Channel 4).
Laura Trigg, Production Manager
Laura is a Production Manager based in the Northwest with 15 years of industry experience with companies including Fox Searchlight, BBC, NBC and Warner Bros. Most recently she worked on Babak Jalali’s upcoming feature, ‘A Town in Nova Scotia’ and previous credits include the film Daliland, Waterloo Road (BBC/Rope Ladder Fiction) Dodger, (BBC/Universal International Studios) So Awkward (CBBC/Channel X North) and Peaky Blinders (BBC/Tiger Aspect).
Liv Taylor, Line Producer
Liv is a Manchester-based Line Producer with 15 years of industry experience across high-end television and continuing drama productions. Raised in Salford, she began her career at 16 after being shortlisted from across the Northwest for a prestigious BBC apprenticeship. Recent credits include The Bay (ITV/Tall Story Pictures), Waterloo Road (BBC/Rope Ladder Fiction) and Virdee (BBC/Magical Society).
Sarah Smith, Line Producer
Based in the Northeast, Sarah has worked in documentary storytelling including extensive experience in international high-risk filming environments, has helped launch two independent production companies, and worked as Unit Manager on the British feature Riot On Redchurch Street, an experience that sparked a lasting passion for scripted drama, where she has worked subsequently as a Line Producer and Executive Producer.
Hannah Stevenson, Line Producer
Hannah is a Manchester-based line producer and film producer known for delivering high-profile productions, with line producing credits including the RTS and BAFTA Award-winning Crongton (BBC/New Pictures Drama), Phoenix Rise (CBBC/BBC Studios), and the international co-production The Lady Grace Mysteries (BBC/Cottonwood Media), as well as the feature Robin and the Hoods (Future Artist Entertainment).
Led by Helen Bullough, WFTV’s North of England Mentoring Producer, the programme combines tailored professional development with exclusive access to senior industry figures, offering:
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Tailored career and personal development workshops, including Insights Discovery (a psychometric tool based on the work of Carl Jung), led by Executive Coach & WFTV Director of Mentoring, Sarah Wright.
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Exclusive masterclasses with leading industry experts, including from ITV Studios Head of Production, Drama, Faiza Tovey , Director of Production, Drama, Julie Clark and Director of Production, Scripted UK and COO Continuing Drama Matt Cleary; Moonage Pictures Managing Director Frith Tiplady; Big Talk Commercial Director Christina Angeloudes, 22 Summers Managing Director Tamara Howe and Netflix Director, Production Jessica Ross.
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One-to-one mentoring with senior professionals in the industry, including: Head of Production, Scripted Labels, BBC Studios, Alison Loose; Head of Production at Quay Street Productions, Chris Leach; ITV Studios Director of Production, Drama, Julie Clark; Head of Production at Drama Republic, Jonathan Leather; Head of Production (UK) at See-Saw Films Nicky Earnshaw.
The scholarship is supported by ScreenSkills in tribute to the late Julie Burnell, former Head of Production for Drama at ITV Studios, who passed away in 2023. A highly respected production executive, Julie was instrumental in bringing acclaimed dramas such as Vera, Lewis, Mr Selfridge, and Poirot to the screen, was a dedicated member of the HETV skills council and deeply committed to championing and nurturing female talent.
Katie Bailiff, WFTV CEO, commented: “We’re so pleased to be bringing the programme back for 2026 following such a strong first year. What’s been especially exciting is seeing the real appetite for this kind of targeted support for women in production management This year’s cohort represents an incredible range of talent, and we’re proud to be creating a space where they can step forward, build confidence, and shape the next stage of their careers, while continuing to celebrate Julie Burnell’s lasting influence on the industry.”
Helen Bullough, WFTV North of England Mentoring Producer, said: “It’s enormously heartening to see how quickly this initiative has gained traction, with generous support from across the production community for which we are so grateful. Julie believed in lifting others up, and that energy runs right through the Programme. We can’t wait to get started with this year’s talented cohort and the leading industry practitioners supporting their every step”
Jacqui Taunton Fenton, Senior High-end TV Training Liaison Manager, ScreenSkills, added: “It’s brilliant to see the programme return with such strong foundations in place. Supporting progression into senior production roles is a key focus for us, and this initiative is already proving how impactful that support can be when it’s targeted and sustained. We’re excited to follow this year’s cohort as they build their networks, develop their skills and take those next steps in high-end TV.”
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