Manchester indie Salamanda Media joins Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund

25 June 2021

Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund has taken a minority stake in the Manchester-based indie Salamanda Media.

Salamanda Media, which specialises in factual entertainment, talent-led factual and formats, is run by Sally Evans and Amanda De Freitas, who between them have more than 30 years’ experience in the industry.

They have a proven track record in developing and delivering high calibre shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Caroline Murphy, Head of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund said: “Salamanda Media is a really exciting new company run by two fantastically creative women who have an incredible wealth of experience in delivering top quality content.

“Having started Salamanda Media during the pandemic, Amanda and Sally are already working on some very exciting projects and have won two commissions.  I’m delighted they’ve joined the Indie Growth Fund’s portfolio of dynamic companies.”

Sally said: “When the odds really should have been against us, we’ve accomplished an extraordinary first year and we’re now absolutely thrilled to be joining the Channel 4 Growth Fund.  With their backing and support, I’m excited to see just how high Salamanda Media can fly!”

Amanda said: “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with the Channel 4 Growth Fund alongside such immense industry talent. As a young Northern company, the opportunity for us to expand whilst continuing to create the shows that we love with their full support and guidance is a dream come true!”

Former ITV Exec, Sally has an exceptional track record of winning primetime and daytime commissions  and has for over a decade executive produced a raft of talent led factual and factual entertainment shows including Gino’s Italian Express, Fierce With Steve Backshall, Coastal Lives With Robson Green and the highly acclaimed Michael Apted series: 63Up. Sally’s original commissions include Last Laugh in Vegas, Absolutely India: Mancs to Mumbai for ITV1 and  Embarrassing Pets for Channel 4.

Accomplished Series Producer and former BBC Studios Development Executive, Amanda has worked on some of the nation’s favourite, award-winning entertainment shows including I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s I’d Do Anything & Somewhere Over The Rainbow, All Star Family Fortunes, Dancing on Ice, Coach Trip and The National Lottery Jet Set.

Led by Head of Fund Caroline Murphy, Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund provides additional support to the UK independent creative sector by investing in UK-based SMEs, taking minority stakes to help them to grow their business to the next stage. The Fund’s future strategy is focused on prioritising investment in the Nations and Regions, diverse-led and digital businesses across the UK.

The addition of Salamanda Media takes the current portfolio of companies in the Channel 4 IGF to 15, with seven having joined since 2020.