BBC-backed House continues staff build

Fledgling UK drama prodco House Productions has hired a commercial chief, as the firm continues to build its ranks.

Haryy Dixon has left Film4 to become commercial director for House, which launched last year and quickly founded backers in the shape of BBC Worldwide and Danny Cohen’s Access Entertainment.

Dixon will join in March, and oversee all legal, business and financial aspects of House’s film and television slates, plus individual projects and investments.

He worked with House co-founder Tessa Ross at Channel 4’s movie arm, Film4, where as head of film finance he oversee revenue forecasting, analysis, project evaluation and financial aspects of production greenlighting on movies such as The Inbetweeners, Slumdog Millionaire and 12 Years a Slave.

Ross exited her role as controller of film and television at UK broadcaster Channel 4 in March 2014 to become CEO of Britain’s National Theatre. She then launched House with ex-Working Title Television UK managing director Juliette Howell last year.

The BBC’s commercial arm, which has been active in acquiring indie stakes in recent years, took a 25% stake in House in August 2016, while Access Industries’ entertainment investment vehicle, which former BBC director general Cohen leads, has a first-look deal to develop and finance feature films.

In a statement, Ross and Howell said new recruit Dixon “has an exemplary track record as a world class lawyer and deal maker”, adding his “pragmatic and problem-solving approach to business will be a huge asset to House”.

In September last year, House drafted in Playground Television’s Tom Leggett; You, Me and the Apocalypse producer Polly Buckle; and See-Saw Films’ Ann Phillip, who is another former Film4 executive.