John joined Saffery in 2012, having been a partner at RSM previously. John leads the UK firm’s Film & TV unit in London but is also a partner of the Irish firm overseeing strategic cross-border opportunities for both jurisdictions.
John provides specialist advice on accessing film and television financing opportunities. His list of clients includes many significant members of the international film and television community. These include Universal Studios, Lucas Film, Disney/Marvel, HBO, Lionsgate, CBS, 20th Century Fox, ABC, Fox Searchlight, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Paramount, DreamWorks, MGM, Working Title, Lionsgate TV, Blueprint Pictures, Marv Films, as well as a variety of other independent producers.
Key experience
- During his career, John has been involved in advising on hundreds of films and television shows, including more recently The Last Duel, The Rhythm Section, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, Fast & Furious 9, The Lion King and No Time to Die,
- Away from the cut and thrust of the commercial world, John has been a mainstay of film policy in the UK for a number of years, advising both the UK government and key strategic film agencies,
- In November 2006, John was awarded the UK Production Guild External Merit Award for outstanding contribution to the British film industry,
- In July 2023, John took on an additional role as Co-vice Chair of the Production Guild of Great Britain,
- John has lectured regularly on film incentives having spoken at seminars in London, Cannes, Berlin, Frankfurt, Los Angeles and New York.
Interests
John lives in Middlesex and is married with three daughters.