The Ink Factory Expands Co-Financing Facility With 127 Wall Production; Ups Rod Henwood To COO
International Studio Bolsters Senior Leadership Team and Financing Capacity to Build Slate and Deliver Growth Plans
Award-winning London and LA-based independent studio The Ink Factory (“The Night Manager”, Fighting with My Family, “The Little Drummer Girl”) today announced the extension of its co-financing agreement with 127 Wall and is upping Rod Henwood, formerly Chief Strategy Officer, to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, based in the London office. In this role Henwood will oversee all of the commercial, business affairs and marketing activities for the company as well as the finance team under Head of Finance Ian Spence.
Investor 127 Wall Productions is extending its partnership with The Ink Factory to 2024, expanding its scope to cover significant development funding and increasing its production co-financing capacity across both film and TV. The existing co-financing facility was set up between 127 Wall Productions and The Ink Factory in 2017 and has supported projects such as celebrated auteur Park Chan-wook’s “The Little Drummer Girl” for the BBC and AMC.
The deal further builds The Ink Factory’s increased development capability following its recently announced strategic partnership with Endeavor Content, and Rod Henwood’s new role will (alongside that of Head of Production Tracey Josephs) lend support to the work of the newly reinforced creative team, led by recently-joined Creative Director Katherine Butler.
Simon and Stephen Cornwell, co-CEOs and Founders at The Ink Factory, said: “Our renewed partnership with 127 Wall and Rod’s enhanced role across The Ink Factory are the latest in a series of strategic steps we have taken to realign behind creatively-led, well-capitalised and focused development of our slate across both film and television projects. We are thrilled to have Rod leading the charge alongside Katherine and Tracey in the next phase of our growth. And at this difficult time for the industry, the continued support of our partners at 127 Wall, alongside our recently announced investment from Endeavor Content, is particularly appreciated. Our ability to dedicate significantly increased resources to building our development slate and make sure we are in the strongest possible position when the industry emerges from hiatus is hugely important, and it is the staunch support of our partners that has made that possible.”
Rod Henwood, Chief Operating Officer at The Ink Factory, added: “From both inside and outside the company, I have always loved what Ink stands for as the home of great storytellers, from John le Carré to Park Chan-wook, Ang Lee and beyond. It’s a privilege to be involved in the leadership of the studio at such an exciting time for the company and the sector. Notwithstanding the times we live in, it very much feels like prospects for the company have never been brighter.”
Alongside his role at The Ink Factory, Henwood currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of non-scripted TV production company, Tin Roof Media. He has previously worked as the CEO, UK, Belgium and Netherlands of production and distribution multinational Banijay Group and held the same position at Zodiak Media prior to the merger between the two companies. Henwood also served as the launch CEO of J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore, as well as New Business Director of Channel 4, where he launched 4oD, the UK’s first broadcaster VOD service, and negotiated terms of the Project Kangaroo venture. He joined The Ink Factory as an advisor in April 2017, becoming Chief Strategy Officer and joining Ink’s board the following year.
Since its formation in 2010, The Ink Factory’s output across film and television has gained strong traction with audiences and critics alike. Its television series (“The Night Manager” and “The Little Drummer Girl”) have been seen in 180 countries by more than 40 million viewers, while it has enjoyed both box office and streamer success with films such as Fighting with My Family, A Most Wanted Man, and Message from the King. In addition, The Ink Factory’s partner games studio Giant Squid created the acclaimed narrative game, ABZÛ, and their latest game, The Pathless, will launch this year with Apple Arcade and Epic Games.