Twickenham to add staff and expand operations, says new management.
British businessman and property magnate Sunny Vohra is the mystery buyer of Twickenham Studios. According to Twickenham staff London-based Vohra already owns a “significant portfolio of commercial and private properties in the capital.”
Vohra today pledged to increase staff, expand operations and refurbish the historic studio, which recently hosted the likes of War Horse, My Week With Marilyn and The Iron Lady, but was threatened with closure due to crippling debts.
Vohra, whose acquisition deposit will pay off Twickenham’s creditors, will be managing director of Twickenham’s new parent company ‘TSL’.
“There is a lot of goodwill towards the studio and many people want to see Twickenham return to the top, where it should be,” said post production supervisor and Twickenham resident Maria Walker, who has been appointed to the newly created position of COO and will oversee sales, marketing and business development at the studio.
Vohra, who bought the studio from the Akkad family [under the Shardub Enterprises banner], is expected to inject funding into the business, which could diversify its operations.
“The industry is changing,” continued Walker. “We are looking at tapping other revenue streams such as gaming. We are looking to expand the IT department and to bring in technicians, sales and marketing knowledge and security”.
Industry, press and locals had mobilised in support of the studio. Steven Spielberg, David Cronenberg and Stephen Daldry were among signatories of a petition to save the studios from homebuilder Taylor Wimpey. In recent weeks some press had linked JK Rowling to the acquisition of the studio.
Kelly Howard-Garde recently took over as full time studio manager from long-time Twickenham employee Caroline Tipple.
Twitter: @andreaswiseman
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