The Ink Factory has promoted Michele Wolkoff to creative director and Ian Pence to head of finance and operations.
Wolkoff will oversee the global slate of development and production for the company and is based in the Los Angeles office. Formerly head of film and TV, LA, she takes over from Katherine Butler who stepped down from the role this summer.
Spence reports to The Ink Factory co-CEO and founder Simon Cornwell in London. The company, whose credits include The Night Manager, Fighting With My Family, and The Little Drummer Girl, recently completed a successful round of financing with key investors Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content), and 127 Wall.
The Ink Factory’s slate includes The Plotters, a Korean-language television series adaptation of Un-su Kim’s novel of the same name, with Soo Hugh attached to create and serve as executive producer; a series based on Ghanian American author Yasmin Angoe’s debut thriller novel Her Name Is Knight; an adaptation of C Pam Zhang’s How Much OF These Hills Is Gold with Anita Gou’s Kindred Spirit; and feature War Doctor based on British trauma surgeon David Nott’s memoir of working in conflict zones.
Stephen Cornwell, co-CEO and founder at The Ink Factory, said: “Michele’s curatorial flair and drive to champion projects is a fantastic asset to the company, and we’re thrilled to have her stepping up as creative director – leading the teams across Los Angeles, London, Mumbai and Seoul.”
“Both Stephen and I would like to thank Katherine for her work with us over the past couple of years and wish her every success in her next chapter,” added Simon Cornwell, co-CEO and founder. “We’re at an exhilarating time in the business and Ian Spence’s steady guidance has been a cornerstone of our ongoing success, so his promotion is both fitting and well deserved. He joins a transatlantic senior leadership team alongside Michele, which also includes Tessa Inkelaar leading on our Asia slate supported by the BFI and 127 Wall. We’re also grateful for the continued support of our investors Fifth Season, with whom we have a burgeoning co-studio, and 127 Wall, who are continuing to back our work together.”
Wolkoff joined Character 7 as head of development in 2016 and has served as head of film and TV, LA, at The Ink Factory since 2020. She ran the film department at The Mark Gordon Company and Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs, and worked as director of development for seven years at Universal, where she started her career as creative assistant to then Universal chairman Stacey Snider.
Spence joined The Ink Factory in 2016. He previously worked for eOne in its film production and international sales division. Before moving into the entertainment industry, Ian was part of the group finance team for a telecommunications business and has also worked in the transactional services team for Deloitte in London
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