Framestore CEO Sir William Sargent will be replaced by Mel Sullivan

Sir William Sargent, CEO and founding member of Academy Award-winning visual effects studio Framestore, whose work has included blockbusters such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and No Time to Die, has announced his retirement.

Chief Operating Officer Mel Sullivan will replace him, with a mandate to focus on the company’s strategic direction.

Sargant, who has been with Framestore for 26 years, will remain in the broader business and focus on Framestore Company 3 Group.

CFO Claire Price will oversee the finances of Framestore and Company 3 beginning in July, while Fiona Walkinshaw will become CEO of Film and Episodes and Charles Howell will serve as President of Global Advertising and Content.

Sullivan has a background in finance and corporate brokerage. She joined Framestore in 1998 and is described as having “played a pivotal role” in the company’s evolution from a London-based VFX studio to a global player with eight offices on four continents. Since she has been with the company, it has grown from 150 to 3,000 employees, including artists, producers and technologists.

“From day one, I’ve always felt that Framestore had a rare lightning-in-a-bottle quality as a company,” says Sullivan. “I think it comes from a unique blend of creativity, collaboration and bold vision – it differentiates our work and it differentiates our people, and it’s something we’re working on while integrating studios in Montreal , Vancouver, and Melbourne, the growth of our Mumbai studio and the advances we are making in areas like real-time, machine learning and virtual production.”

“I’ve always been amazed by the people here and what they do, and it’s my absolute pleasure to play an even bigger role in Framestore’s story as we continue to evolve. I am grateful to William for his continued support and an incredible management team whose diligence and expertise have helped so much on this ongoing journey.”

Sargent said, “Since we started the company with five people and one big idea, Framestore has grown and evolved in an amazing way. From commercials and pop promos for David Bowie and Madonna, we’ve evolved into blockbuster franchises, tentpole episode productions and groundbreaking theme park installations. In less than five years, the company has doubled in size and expanded into three new territories. So it definitely feels like Mel is taking the reins at another pivotal stage in the company’s evolutionary growth. I have absolutely no doubt that under her leadership we will see the company continue on its ambitious course.”