Earlier this month, Dean Russell MP joined the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer MP at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden.
The party met with Andrew Georgiou, President and Managing Director, UK & Ireland; Emily Stillman, Senior Vice President, Studio Operations; and Lisa McGuirk, Head of EMEA and Global Government Relations.
Following the introductions, a meeting took place in the main boardroom where Warner Bros. Execs provided an overview into the roles they perform and how Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden operates.
As a keen fan of film and TV, Dean was delighted to learn about their plans and exciting new shows due to be released in the coming months and years.
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden is undergoing an expansion and this marks a significant milestone for both the local community and the UK Film and TV industry.
Massive productions such as the global hit Barbie and the HBO series ‘House of the Dragon’ have utilised WBSL’s world-class sound stages. The studio’s reputation extends to being the creative force behind the much loved Harry Potter franchise, further enhanced by its popular fan Studio Tour, attracting many tourists from across the globe.
Following the visit, Dean commented:
‘I would like to thank the brilliant team at Warner Bros. Discovery for giving the Minister and I their valuable time today to talk about their exciting plans here in Watford. Every aspect of the work is truly fascinating, and it is great to see so many films and TV programmes created here in Watford. The studios are to undergo a major expansion shortly, which will create 4000 jobs and provide a much needed boost to Britain’s film and TV production industry. The development is anticipated to be completed in 2027 and is expected to increase the studios’ contribution to the UK economy by more than £200m. This investment will have a real and long lasting impact for many decades to come. Warner Bros. Discovery wants a real focus on local jobs and support for local businesses. This will have really positive implications across Herts and the UK, with Watford playing a pivotal part. This positive, large scale investment in the UK shows absolute confidence in our great country.’
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer MP commented,
‘From Star Wars to Paddington, Hertfordshire is the proud birthplace of some of the most cherished moments in cinema history. So it’s no surprise that Barbie - filmed not in Hollywood but at the remarkable Leavesden Studios - has smashed UK box office records. It was wonderful to visit the studios with Dean Russell who is a tireless campaigner for Watford and the film industry.
Millions of pounds are spent on film and high-end TV production in Hertfordshire each year and the county’s success lies in its attractiveness to world-renowned studios and its highly talented workforce.
I launched a plan last year to grow the creative industries by £50 billion by 2030 - committing to developing and investing in skills, talent, technology and studio infrastructure, including through our UK Global Screen Fund and generous tax reliefs. This will help keep Hertfordshire and the whole of the UK at the forefront of movie making’.
