For over a decade, Pretzel has been a trusted provider of cash flow and production finance services for UK broadcasters and advertising agencies, becoming an integral part of the industry.
Now, thanks to a substantial investment, we're launching Pretzel Entertainment —a dedicated branch of our company designed exclusively for the TV and film industry.
In an industry where funding can make or break a project, Pretzel Entertainment is emerging as the go-to partner for independent producers, thanks to its unwavering dedication to collaboration, adaptability, and reliability. By offering tailored financial solutions with a hands-on, producer-first approach, we do more than provide funding— we offer the financial foundation that turns ambitious ideas into finished productions.
At Pretzel Entertainment, we offer comprehensive financing solutions—covering tax credits, pre-sales, production finance, and final payments—designed to keep your television project on track and on budget.
We provide financing solutions for film and television productions, working closely with experienced producers and talent to bring compelling projects to life.
To qualify for funding, projects must align with Pretzel Entertainment's investment scope and demonstrate strong potential for success. For further details, please refer to our FAQ section.
Our financing covers productions with budgets ranging from £5 million to £50 million, ensuring that a wide range of high-quality projects receive the financial support they need.
We understand the importance of timely funding in television production. We offer competitive financing against eligible tax credits, providing producers with upfront access to capital. This allows creators to focus on their projects without the constant worry of financial constraints. We're dedicated to supporting the industry by offering bespoke financial solutions that help ambitious projects thrive.
Pretzel Entertainment provides producers with upfront capital by leveraging distribution agreements and licensing deals. Our bespoke service analyses the pre-sales contracts, unlocking opportunities to maximise each project's financial potential. With Pretzel Entertainment, producers can confidently bring their creative ideas to life, knowing that every detail and deal is handled with care.
Pretzel Entertainment provides the financial bridge you need ahead of your final payments, collateralized against those payments as senior debt. We tailor our lending solutions to suit your timelines and budget.
We also offer a production finance package to TV finance departments. By acting as a bolt-on accounts payable department, we can anticipate your cash flow needs in advance, ensuring seamless cashflow when paired with our lending services.
Jamie Davis is an entrepreneur and film industry professional with over 25 years of experience in television and film production. He is the Co-Founder of Pretzel & Peggy Studios and CEO of Pretzel & Peggy, an accounts payable company managing over £6 million in transactions annually.
He is also a partner at Pretzel Films, a multi-award-winning production company with a two-decade legacy, renowned for its storytelling and cinematic excellence. Previously, he worked as an Executive Producer at Google Creative Lab and a Senior Producer at 4Creative, where he played a pivotal role in high-profile campaigns and projects.
Davis has received multiple industry accolades, including a BAFTA nomination for Production Company of the Year. His expertise spans creative strategy, production management, and business development, bridging both media and financial services.
Beyond media and finance, Davis is a co-founder of Pretzel & Partners, a consultancy that helps organisations optimise workforce management and navigate transformational change. The firm integrates problem-solving, design thinking, and storytelling to support businesses in developing effective HR strategies and executing large-scale change initiatives.
He is also a partner at Coinkydink Ltd, overseeing the David Bickford estate—formerly the Legal Director of MI5 and MI6—and managing the company’s rights-holding interests in Bickford adaptations, including The Katya thriller series (www.davidbickford.co.uk).
Davis continues to lead and expand his ventures, leveraging his expertise in film production, corporate strategy, and business operations to drive innovation and growth.
Ron Downey is a trailblazing entrepreneur and a pioneer in digital media, whose career has spanned over 25 years at the forefront of streaming technology and content distribution. As the Executive Chairman of Free Turn Entertainment, he brings his vast expertise to a company dedicated to crafting high-quality film, television, and immersive audio content for global audiences.
Downey's journey into the digital revolution began in 1995 when he co-founded Massive Interactive in Sydney, Australia. At a time when the internet was still in its infancy, Massive Interactive was one of the world’s first digital development agencies. Over the next two decades, Downey led the company’s expansion into a global enterprise, delivering innovative digital products, software solutions, and creative services for some of the biggest names in entertainment. Clients included AT&T, DAZN, WWE, BBC Worldwide, Bell Media, Sony Pictures Television, and the UK’s Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV. His leadership positioned Massive as a leading force in the development of cutting-edge consumer experiences in streaming and interactive entertainment.
In 2018, Downey sold Massive to Deltatre, a global leader in video streaming solutions for the sports and entertainment industries. The combined entity sold to Bain Capital in 2022. The acquisition marked the culmination of years spent refining digital distribution strategies that shaped the way audiences consume content today. With multiple successful exits and a broad active investment portfolio, he is keenly aware of the goals and issues that concern investors and investees, whether in equity or debt transactions.
In 2023, Downey took on a new challenge, joining Free Turn Entertainment as Executive Chairman following a successful investment round. His appointment signals a bold step for the company as it accelerates the development of premium intellectual properties across film, television, and immersive audio. With Downey at the helm, Free Turn is poised to redefine storytelling in the digital age, leveraging new platforms and distribution models to engage audiences worldwide.
As a veteran of the streaming revolution and a producer of film, TV and audio content, Downey continues to shape the future of entertainment, blending innovation with storytelling to create compelling experiences for audiences everywhere.
Vincent Grimond is a distinguished figure in the European media and entertainment industry, renowned for his strategic vision and leadership across various high-profile roles.
In 1996, Grimond became Managing Director at Canal+, overseeing its subsidiaries division. During this period, he reorganised the division and established STUDIOCANAL, serving as its Founder, Chairman, and CEO. Under his leadership, STUDIOCANAL secured significant agreements with American studios and international producers, notably with Working Title ("Billy Elliot," "Bridget Jones's Diary") and Spyglass ("The Sixth Sense").
Following the acquisition of Universal by Vivendi Canal+ in 2000, Grimond was appointed Senior Executive Vice President of Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
In 2002, he co-founded WILD BUNCH, serving as its President for 19 years. Under his guidance, WILD BUNCH became a leading independent European distributor of films and TV series, managing a library of over 2,500 titles and earning multiple Palme d'Ors and Oscars. Its acclaimed releases include The Artist, Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Dheepan, Drive, The King’s Speech, and Pan’s Labyrinth.
Strategic Consulting and Advisory Work
In early 2022, Grimond founded Anthéma SAS, a strategic and financial consulting firm specialising in the media sector. Through this venture, he has provided high-level advisory services to:
GMP – Assisted in the creation of VUELTA.
PLAYTIME – Advised on its sale to VUELTA.
Pan Européenne – Guided the search for a shareholder partner.
Wild Bunch – Consulted on the sale of FILMO TV.
SHAMROCK fund – Advised on European expansion strategies.
LEONE – Provided strategic development insights.
RECTANGLE – Assisted in securing a financial partner.
Board Memberships and Industry Influence
Beyond his consultancy work, Grimond holds directorial positions at XILAM, BORSALINO, and Pan Européenne, where he continues to influence the global media landscape with his extensive expertise and strategic acumen. With a career spanning decades in film production, distribution, and strategic investment, Vincent Grimond remains a key architect of the modern European film industry, known for his ability to navigate the intersection of finance, creativity, and global market expansion.
Assad Amin is a distinguished professional with over two decades of experience in the investment banking sector, having held significant positions at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, and most recently, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Throughout his tenure at these leading financial institutions, he specialised in global risk management, business processes and controls, and strategic development.
In 2013, Assad co-founded RAS Capital, a boutique asset management firm focusing on short to medium-term real estate debt finance and mezzanine finance. Under his leadership, RAS Capital has grown to manage over £100 million in assets, offering tailored investment solutions to a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and global financial institutions.
Assad's extensive background in investment banking and his expertise in risk management and strategic planning have been instrumental in establishing RAS Capital's reputation for delivering superior risk-adjusted returns in the real estate finance sector.
PJ Bickford is an entrepreneur and communications strategist with a career spanning corporate advisory, media production, and financial services. He is the Founder and CEO of Pretzel Films, an award-winning production company established in 2004, and a co-founder of Pretzel & Peggy, an accounts payable firm handling over £7 million in transactions annually.
A trusted advisor to more than 60 FTSE 100 companies, Bickford specialises in corporate communications, strategy, and crisis management. His counsel has been sought by leading political figures—including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II—as well as CEOs of major global corporations.
In media and film, Bickford has earned over 100 international awards, including a BAFTA nomination for Production Company of the Year, a D&AD Gold Pencil, multiple Cannes Dolphins, and recognition from the New York Film Festivals. His expertise in storytelling and visual communication has established him as a leader in the industry.
Beyond media and finance, Bickford is a co-founder of Pretzel & Partners, a consultancy that helps organisations navigate people-related processes and transformation. The firm integrates problem-solving, design thinking, and storytelling to support HR strategies and large-scale change programmes.
He also serves as Chairman of Coinkydink Ltd, overseeing the David Bickford estate—formerly the Legal Director of MI5 and MI6—and managing the company’s rights-holding interests in Bickford adaptations, including The Katya thriller series of books (www.davidbickford.co.uk).
With extensive experience across multiple sectors, Bickford continues to lead and innovate at the intersection of business, media, and corporate advisory services.
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