WFTV Production Management Programme 2025 Cohort

Pictured from left to right: Fahima Chowdhury, Helen Bullough, Melanie Rainbow, Lynsey Palmer and Nicole Forrest. Photo Credit: Claire Dixon.

WFTV is delighted to unveil the 2025 cohort of the Julie Burnell Scholarship: WFTV Production Management Programme, supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK HETV productions.

This new initiative supports four talented women working in production management and line producing in the North of England, providing a unique opportunity to develop their careers and grow as future leaders in the screen industries.

Our cohort:

• Fahima Chowdhury (Newcastle): Line Producer on The Power of Parker (BBC/Boffola Pictures), and Vera (ITV/Silverprint).

• Nicole Forrest (North West): Production Manager on The Power of Parker S2, with credits including Death in Paradise, Waterloo Road and Happy Valley.

• Mel Rainbow (North East): Experienced Production Manager in premium unscripted, now pivoting into drama. Recent work includes Nicola Payne: The Never Ending Murder (Amazon/Fulwell 73).

• Lynsey Palmer (Newcastle): Production Manager on Family Secrets (C5), with credits including I Fought the Law (ITV) and The Red King (ITV).

Led by WFTV North of England Mentoring Producer Helen Bullough, the four-month programme includes tailored workshops, leadership profiling, exclusive masterclasses, and one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals.

This initiative is delivered in tribute to the late Julie Burnell, former Head of Production for Drama at ITV Studios, and a tireless champion for women in the industry.

This programme is a vital part of our mission to support women behind the camera. Julie Burnell’s legacy lives on through this work — creating opportunities, building skills, and nurturing the next generation of production leaders.