Simon Cornwell Becomes Executive Chairman as The Ink Factory Reshuffles Its Leadership

Simon Cornwell is now Executive Chairman of The Ink Factory, the production company he co-founded in 2010 with Stephen Cornwell. The company also promoted Michelle Wolkoff to President and Chief Creative Officer, according to Deadline.

Executive Chairman is the top job on the board, the group that oversees the company. Rod Henwood handed that role to Simon Cornwell and stays on the board as Deputy Chairman.

Stephen Cornwell takes the title of Creative Co-Chairman. He is also showrunning The Legacy of Spies for the BBC and MGM+. A showrunner is the producer who runs a series day to day, from the writers' room through to the final cut. Earlier trade reports described Stephen Cornwell as the company's co-chief executive.

Michelle Wolkoff's rise has been steady. She joined Stephen Garrett's production company Character 7 as Head of Development in 2016. She then moved to The Ink Factory as Head of Film and TV in Los Angeles, and was named Creative Director in September 2022, according to World Screen. Her new role as Chief Creative Officer means she sets the creative direction across the company's projects.

The money side has a new face too. Ian Spence becomes Chief Financial and Operating Officer, covering the company's finances and its day-to-day running. Spence was promoted alongside Wolkoff in 2022, according to Screen Daily.

On the production side, Laura Burrows has been hired as production boss. That role oversees how shows are actually made, from budgets and schedules to the crews on set. Lachlan MacKinnon joins as executive producer across the slate, which is the company's full run of projects. Sam Costin has been promoted to Creative Producer.

Amy Basil has been re-signed as Chief Marketing Officer across both The Ink Factory and the John le Carré Estate, which manages the late author's work.

Most of the changes sit at the top of the company.