Channel 4’s Kelly Webb-Lamb sets up mothership productions

Former Channel 4 Deputy Director of Programming and head of the popular Factual, Kelly Webb-Lamb has launched a new production company.

Mothership Productions will focus on global formats and “scale ideas” in the unscripted genres. The new outfit is already well underway with a senior squad that includes Charlotte Desai, Gilly Greenslade and Gudren Claire.

“After 25 years in the industry on both sides of the pitching/buying table, it felt like it was time to take the plunge and try it for myself,” Webb-Lamb said. “I honestly can’t believe I managed to convince such a brilliant group of women to ride with me. We’re super ambitious – and intend to do some really great, fun, warm and funny programs – and have a lot of fun.”

Webb-Lamb is one of the UK television industry’s most respected executives. She left Channel 4 at the end of 2021 after five years.

Throughout her career, Webb-Lamb has been involved in the development, sales, production and commissioning of a wide range of award-winning hits on British television including The Apprentice, Hunted, The Great British Bake Off, The Island with Bear Grylls, Mary Queen of Charity Shops and The Circle.

In her five years at Channel 4, she has not only overseen a massive roster of shows (including Gogglebox and Naked Attraction), but also developed new and diverse talent, including Mo Gilligan, Sophie Willan and Yinka Bokinni when she was there were still unknown.

She also promoted some of the network’s biggest names such as Sandi Toksvig, Jamie Oliver, Ashley Banjo, Emma Willis, Joe Lycett, Anna Richardson, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Additionally, Webb-Lamb was a key figure in the Black to Front project during her senior year at Channel 4.

On Mothership, Webb-Lamb’s team consists of a trio of ex-producers and commissioners.

Desai, who was most recently at Five Mile Films, will take on the role of creative director. Most recently, the manager created the award-winning RTS series The Dog House, now in its third season on Channel 4. At Five Mile Films, Desai created The Simpler Life, a bold social experiment for Channel 4, and the primetime format The Dog Academy.

She was an editor at Channel 4 and Sky, where her credits include The Write Offs, My Family Secret and Losing It. Desai also developed and produced The Apprentice, The Choir, The Auction House and When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum.

Greenslade becomes program director. She joins Mothership from Channel 4, where she was the non-fiction editor, working on reality, new and returning non-fiction formats and documentaries. Her credits include The Circle, which ran for three seasons and was sold worldwide to Netflix, Five Guys a Week, and The Undateables. Before joining Channel 4, Greenslade developed and produced the documentary series Hospital for BBC Two.

Eventually, Claire takes on the role of production manager. With a track record of over 25 years, she has worked with various production companies, becoming executive producer at Jamie Oliver’s Fresh One Productions and then Jamie Oliver Productions. Prior to joining Mothership, Gudren was executive producer and production consultant for a number of start-up production companies including Parable, Summer Films and Nick Mirsky’s Five Mile Films.

Mothership already has several projects in advanced development, and the team is currently taking on officials from broadcasters and SVOD.