Netflix Hires Fiona Lamptey as Director of U.K. Features

Netflix has hired Fruit Tree Media executive Fiona Lamptey as its director of U.K. features. 

Based in London, the newly created role will see Lamptey identify books, theater and other material to develop into feature films, focused on British productions and IP. Lamptey is also charged with spotting new, emerging U.K. talent. The newly created role comes as Netflix looks to widen its reach in the U.K. and focus on dedicated local productions.

Lamptey spent 13 years at Channel 4/Film4 working on features and short film productions before launching talent hub Fruit Tree Media. In 2019, the former production executive was identified as a future leader in film through Film London’s leadership initiative.

Scott Stuber, head of film at Netflix, said: “Fiona has been widely recognized for developing underrepresented stories and talent, and has quickly made her mark on the U.K. film industry. We are excited that Fiona is joining the team and further deepening our commitment and investment to U.K. stories and talent.”

Lamptey added: “As director of U.K. features, I’m eager to continue championing fresh, arresting and provocative ideas, where both new and established voices are empowered to tell their stories. I look forward to working with Scott to help connect distinctively British, and globally appealing filmmakers and their work to a wider audience.”

Lamptey joins a U.K. team that includes former Sky executive Anne Mensah, who now oversees original scripted/drama for the streaming giant’s U.K. operation; ex-STXInternational executive David Kosse, overseeing non-English language film; former BBC Storyville head Kate Townsend, who manages documentaries; ex-Nickelodeon executive Alexi Wheeler, who oversees kids and family; and former ITV commissioner Ben Kelly and ex-Expectation Entertainment executive producer Daisy Lilley, who manage non-fiction.

The U.K. is one of Netflix’s top three locations for production globally, alongside the U.S. and Canada. More recently, the streamer shot “Sex Education” in Wales, “Outlaw King” in Scotland and “Rebecca” in locations across the country.

Upcoming Netflix U.K. feature films include “Midnight Sky,” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” and “The Dig.”