Green.TV, the world’s first production and distribution house dedicated to the sustainability, conservation and the clean tech sector, has opened a new office in Bristol and appointed a new managing director as part of its ambitious expansion plans.
The global digital video network, which has worked with high-profile names such as Nissan Europe, the UN, Cisco, WWF and the National Trust, is aiming to position itself as the ‘Netflix for green content’ and the world leader in providing factual entertainment for people who want to live more sustainable lives.
Not only has Green.TV opened a base in the current European Green Capital, Bristol, it has announced the appointment of social video expert, Rich Keith, in the new role of managing director with a brief to build on and expand the company’s digital video network.
Rich will drive the next phase of strategic development and growth for Green.TV, including channel and content partnerships, licensing opportunities and operational restructuring. Previously the general manager at the Yogscast, one of the world’s first and biggest YouTube networks, Rich has more than 17 years’ experience running media brands.
He will work from the company’s new Bristol base, in the centre of the city, and be looking to work with the region’s incredible range of businesses connected to the sustainability and clean tech sector.
Rich Keith said: “I’m really excited to be expanding Green.TV’s operations to Bristol. Not only is it the European Green Capital, the Bristol area has an amazing creative digital focus, recently being named as the biggest digital cluster outside of London.
“We have a clear vision for Green.TV to build on its market leading position and create a true world leader in providing digital video on demand for factual green content. There is no better place than Bristol for us to fulfil this vision.”
Green.TV has a core team of seven in the UK and one in Geneva but works with a wider group of trusted freelancers. The firm expects to double the core team in the next year with most of the recruitment happening in Bristol.
Green.TV founder, Ade Thomas, said: “This is an exciting time for Green.TV. We have ambitious plans and I am confident that, with our new base in Bristol, and the appointment of a world class talent in Rich Keith, we’re well on course to achieve that. Bristol has long been defined as a centre of world trade and Green.TV is proud to be a small part of continuing that story.”
David Maher Roberts, digital sector specialist at Invest Bristol & Bath, said: “The Bristol and Bath region is renowned for its rich heritage in TV and filmmaking, and is home to a world-class cluster spanning the high-tech, creative and digital sectors, as well as a plethora of innovative green tech-focused businesses. So it is no surprise that Green. TV has found in Bristol the perfect combination of expertise to help propel its growth plans.”
The Bristol and Bath region was last year highlighted by McKinsey & Co/Centre for Cities as having the only fast-growing and globally-significant high-tech cluster in the UK, while a Tech Nation report earlier this year found that Bristol and Bath’s digital cluster is the largest in the UK outside London by volume of employment.
Over 1 billion set-top boxes are powered by silicon chips made in Bristol and Bath, and over 500 million people a month see digital content produced in Bristol and Bath from providers like the global YouTube leader The Yogscast, Future Publishing and the BBC.
The Bristol and Bath area also sits at the heart of the South West of England’s powerhouse aerospace cluster, the largest in Europe. Meanwhile, Bristol, which holds the title of European Green Capital this year, was recently chosen to host a testbed for cutting-edge Future Cities technology, including driverless cars.
