Graham Webb is the founder of The Operations People. 

Graham has worked across sectors including aviation, manufacturing, construction, the built environment, the third sector and the creative industries. Click on the link below for Graham's LinkedIn profile

I take the time to understand and evaluate your challenges and the outcomes you want to achieve. Then I identify the best path to deliver those results and, unlike many consultants, I personally lead the project and stand by your side as we embed lasting operational improvements.

I don’t sit in an office like a football pundit, pointing out where you’re going wrong. I join your team, engage at every level of the organisation, and spark engagement, excitement, and ownership of the goals. I work alongside you to make sure we reach them together.

Graham Webb is a driving force in the UK’s creative industries, spearheading initiatives that fuel economic growth and strengthen the West Midlands’ reputation as a hub for film, television, and media production. As Executive Lead for Create Central, a body funded by the West Midlands Growth Company and led by an board of industry advisors, Graham is working at the intersection of private and public sector, as well as higher education and skills delivery partners. The role draws on a combination of strategic vision with hands-on project delivery to maximise the region’s creative potential.

He has played a pivotal role in project managing the mobilisation of the Regional Film and Production Support Office, ensuring it operates as a one-stop hub for productions of all sizes. His leadership has been instrumental in attracting major projects, fostering industry collaboration, and creating a supportive infrastructure that enables the region’s screen sector to thrive.

With a track record of building strong partnerships across industry, government, and education, Graham champions the creative economy as a catalyst for regional development, job creation, local pride and cultural enrichment. His work continues to put the West Midlands firmly on the map as a world-class destination for production.

Graham joined 4Wood TV & Film Construction at the start of 2023 as interim MD, tasked with professionalising the business and introducing operational best practices. The company, with a 20-year history, specializes in set construction for major productions, notably in Wales. Credits include "Doctor Who” (BBC/Disney), "His Dark Materials” (HBO/BBC), "Sex Education" (Netflix) "A Gentleman in Moscow" (Paramount) and "Willow" (LucasFilm).  Following a PE-backed MBO in 2022, the business was struggling to make the leap from family business to professional private equity backed operation

Challenges and Response:

• In summer 2023, the US writers' and actors' strikes halted the traditional Film
  and High-End TV production market, worth £6.2bn in the UK in 2022, significantly
  impacting the business.
• At the same time, traditional commercial broadcast television experienced
  dramatic changes in viewer behaviours, resulting in a12-15% in ad revenue,
  directly impacting production commissioning in the UK.
• Resulting in an existential drop in revenue

In response:

• Implemented stronger risk-based revenue forecasting.
• Pivoted to target traditional (Band 2) TV scripted and unscripted productions.
• Developed new revenue streams in theatre, live music/events, and immersive
  experiences, including projects for the Met Opera, Gucci, and live tours for Drake and Fall Out Boy.
  Operational Efficiency:
• Transformed the operating model to build sets in our Cardiff workshop, rather
  than on set/location, enhancing efficiency and reducing studio hire costs.
• Managed subcontractor use strategically and improved revenue per man day by
  25%.
• Strengthened communication with Production Designers and Art Directors.
• Secured supply chain discounts of 12-15% and reduced payroll by 29%.
  Brand Awareness:
• Enhanced brand awareness through PR, trade events, and media appearances.
• Improved social media strategy, significantly growing our audience quantity and
  quality.
• Joined trade bodies and gained significant recognition in the industry notably
  with the Secretary of State for DCMS referencing our company in a flagship
  speech to a major Creative UK summit.
• Opened an office in Birmingham alongside a major studio development and
  relocation of BBC productions

Continued Challenges:
Despite efforts, the return of production was prolonged post-strikes. With forecast revenue still below break-even and no further financial backing available, the company was placed in administration in July 2024.

Achievements:

• Maintained workforce morale and engagement.
• Successfully transitioned the company from family-owned to a professionally
  operated, PE-backed business.
• Improved operational efficiency and flagged financial pinch points well ahead of
  time.
  Reflecting on the experience, the team adapted admirably to market changes, diversifying into new areas and maintaining professional integrity, despite the industry's seismic shifts.

Launching the first dedicated film office for the West Midlands

Clients: West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC)

Sector

Economic Development | Creative Industries | Screen & Film

The Challenge

The West Midlands had long underperformed relative to other UK screen production hubs despite its strong creative heritage, diverse talent base and central location.

The region lacked a coordinated production support offer, resulting in lost opportunities for inward investment, employment and supply-chain growth. Existing provision was fragmented across local authorities, there was no region-wide film office, and producers faced an inconsistent experience when considering the region as a filming destination.

WMCA commissioned an interim engagement to assess the opportunity and develop a commercially viable model capable of attracting productions, generating economic impact and strengthening the region’s position within the UK screen sector.

The Assignment

Initially appointed to support the development of the business case for a regional film office, Graham’s role quickly expanded into a wider transformation programme encompassing strategy, stakeholder alignment, operating model design and mobilisation.

The objective was clear: create a sustainable, industry-facing organisation capable of competing with the UK’s most successful screen production regions and delivering measurable economic returns for the West Midlands.

The Approach

The first phase focused on establishing the commercial case for intervention.

Working across local authorities, industry stakeholders and public sector partners, Graham developed a detailed economic and operational model demonstrating the potential value of a region-wide production support service.

Alongside the business case, significant stakeholder engagement was required to secure alignment across seven local authorities, WMCA leadership and key industry partners.

Following approval, Graham remained in post to lead mobilisation, including:

• Designing the operating model.
• Recruiting the founding leadership team.
• Establishing governance and delivery frameworks.
• Developing the Production Central WM brand and market proposition.
• Creating the foundations for long-term industry engagement and inward investment.

The focus throughout was on creating a commercially credible organisation that would generate economic value rather than simply deliver a public sector programme.

The Results

The programme secured unanimous support from WMCA and all seven constituent local authorities, unlocking a three-year investment commitment and enabling the launch of Production Central WM, the West Midlands’ first region-wide film office.

The approved business case demonstrated the potential to generate:

• £100m–£200m Gross Value Added (GVA) over five years.
• 1,000–2,000 long-term jobs.
• Significant inward investment into the regional economy.

The organisation launched with an experienced leadership team, a clear market proposition and a delivery model designed to attract production activity, support supply chains and improve the region’s competitiveness.

Additional Commercial Impact

While leading mobilisation, Graham was also asked to support a number of strategically important industry initiatives that delivered significant additional value to the region.

Most notably, he worked as part of the team that secured a landmark Memorandum of Understanding between the BBC, WMCA and Create Central, committing to a substantial increase in BBC investment within the West Midlands and creating new opportunities for production, skills development and regional growth.

He also supported discussions that helped secure the return of Peaky Blinders production to the West Midlands.

The commitment is expected to:

• Create approximately 250 local jobs.
• Generate around £52,000 of local supply-chain expenditure per filming day.
• Deliver new workforce development opportunities through targeted skills programmes.

Lasting Value

The creation of Production Central WM delivered more than a new organisation.

It established the infrastructure, partnerships and market confidence required to support the long-term growth of the West Midlands screen economy.

The region now has a dedicated production support service, stronger industry relationships and a platform for attracting future investment. Just as importantly, it has a more coordinated approach to supporting producers, developing talent and maximising the economic benefits of screen production activity.

The project demonstrates how experienced interim leadership can accelerate delivery, align complex stakeholder groups and create lasting economic impact within a relatively short period.

Recognition

The success of the programme and the wider contribution to regional economic growth was recognised through the award of the Commercial Contribution Award at the New Street Consulting Group Interim Management Awards 2025.

The award recognised the combination of commercial impact, stakeholder leadership and long-term value creation delivered through the engagement.