B i o g r a p h y

Derren Lawford is a senior editorial, creative and strategic leader working across broadcast, digital and culture-led media. With over three decades experience spanning commissioning, production, development and executive leadership, he supports organisations, teams and partners to shape ideas, build content that travels and deliver work with impact.

He is the founder of DARE Pictures, an award-winning independent production company recognised for culturally resonant storytelling across television, streaming and digital platforms. Under his leadership, DARE’s work has been nominated for multiple Broadcast Digital Awards, the British Journalism Awards and Campaign Media Week Awards, and in 2025 the company was named Emerging Indie of the Year at the Broadcast Awards.

The values of DARE (diversity, allyship, representation and empowerment) attracted the interest of broadcasters, streamers, distributors, brands, private equity and corporate investment from Rosegown and subsequently Pantheon Media Group, part of the WME Group.

Before launching DARE, Derren held senior editorial and content leadership roles across the BBC, independent production and digital media. He was a founding member of BBC Radio 1Xtra, helped pioneer short-form and multi-platform storytelling at the BBC, and contributed to the launch of BBC Global iPlayer. He was part of the launch commissioning team at London Live and later served as Creative Director at Woodcut Media, contributing to the development and delivery of more than 300 hours of factual and documentary IP for UK and international broadcasters.

Alongside his production work, Derren is a trusted advisor and executive producer, supporting the development and delivery of original ideas, formats and slates. His work spans factual, documentary and culture-led content, and he has collaborated with a wide range of broadcasters, platforms, brands and creative partners.

Derren also brings significant board-level and sector experience. He is a Trustee of The Grierson Trust and has served on the boards of Sheffield Doc/Fest, Black Cultural Archives and One World Media Awards. His advisory work includes early support to Jamal Edwards and SB.TV, consultancy on the BAFTA-winning short film The Black Cop, and strategic advisory roles with emerging media organisations such as Dose of Society with whom he helped secure investment from Snap Inc. He has also mentored and advised over 30 filmmakers from around the world on prestigious documentary pitching programmes.

Across all his work, Derren is known for combining strong editorial judgement with collaborative and kind leadership, helping ideas move from concept to delivery while remaining culturally relevant, commercially grounded and creatively ambitious.