The Board

Tim Sparke, CEO

Tim has worked at Walt Disney/ABC (twice), enjoyed stints at BBC Worldwide, ITEL and Thames TV before a 10 year engagement with WTN (Worldwide Television News) where he was instrumental in the development of its Programmes and Entertainment division. In 2000 Tim set up MercuryMedia initially to represent WTN and AP programmes and to develop outside production and distribution opportunities. The company released 6 documentaries theatrically in the UK in 2008, and in 2009 launched joiningthedocs.tv world-wide with 80 titles including Oscar and Emmy award winners.

Simon Shaps, Non - Executive Chairman

Simon joined the board of MercuryMedia and joiningthedocs.tv as non - executive chairman as of Janurary 2010. Formerly the Director of Television for ITV, Simon left in May 2008. Prior to this, Simon was CEO of ITV’s global production and distribution business. In 2005 he attended the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme. As well as Mercury, he chairs A Brand Apart Television Ltd, an AFP company, and Ignite, an innovation company. He is also working with Back2Back, a non - scripted production business.

Nick Ware, Editorial Director

Nick Ware is Editorial Director of MercuryMedia, the international documentary film distributor, and of its documentaries on demand channel, www.joiningthedocs.tv. Nick leads on partnerships and film acquisitions for both projects. Nick is also a consultant, specialising in finding new ways to create, fund and distribute factual and documentary content. He is also a freelance executive producer and trainer, working with media companies, film festivals, charities and government departments. Nick was a senior executive in the BBC for many years, including Managing Editor of BBC Four, Creative Director of BBC Learning, and Commissioner for Arts programmes. He is also a former Controller of the not-for-profit tv station Community Channel.