On Monday 12th March the 2017 Funny Women Awards will be taking place at the Duchess Theatre, London, where our host Jan Ravens will be welcoming our 10 finalists to the stage. We have assembled an expert panel of judges to decide who will be our 2017 Funny Women Awards winner! Introducing…
Morwenna Gordon, Commissioning Editor Comedy, Sky
Morwenna is responsible for developing and commissioning scripted comedy shows for Sky 1, Sky Arts and Sky’s On Demand service. She’s currently exec-ing the second series of Bounty Hunters on Sky 1, as well as a number of Urban Myths for Sky Arts.
Lee Griffiths, Associate Producer, Soho Theatre
Lee works a Comedy Associate at Soho Theatre and is a member of award-winning sketch group, Late Night Gimp Fight. Over the past five years they have performed all over the world from Edinburgh to Melbourne, via Estonia! Lee features in in the television series Impractical Jokers for Comedy Central and Channel Five.
Ayesha Hazarika, Writer and Performer
Ayesha is a political commentator who appears regularly on television and radio, having started her career as a stand-up comedian before moving into politics as a Special Adviser for the Labour Party. During her time in Westminster she worked for Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, advising them on Prime Minister’s Questions, speeches, media and policy as well as heading up initiatives on topics such as Women and Equality. In 2016 Ayesha returned to her stand-up roots and has taken two shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and toured throughout the UK including a sold out run at the Soho Theatre.
Rachel Springett, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Comedy
Rachel is the commissioner at Channel 4 of the multi award winning Toast of London, Drifters; written by and starring Jessica Knappett, Chewing Gum the E4 show written by and starring the talented Michaela Coel, Roisin Conaty’s hilarious Gameface and Crashing by the award-winning playwright Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Previously Rachel was at Objective productions as a producer. Prior to this Rachel was at Bwark.
James Farrell, Head of Comedy Development, BBC Studios
James Farrell is Head of Development for Comedy at BBC Studios, the UK’s biggest producer of scripted comedy. He runs a large team of creatives, overseeing all new developments. James also heads up multiple major network television series including smash-hit Mrs Brown’s Boys, the UK’s highest rating comedy series and winner of both BAFTA and IFTA Best Comedy, as well as four consecutive National Television Awards for Best Sitcom.
Ade Rawcliffe – Diversity – ITV
Ade is responsible for ensuring that both in front of and behind the camera that ITV represents and includes the many diverse voices and communities across the length and breadth of Britain. Prior to that at Channel 4, Ade led the Creative Diversity team and spearheaded the delivery of the broadcaster’s 360 Diversity Charter, including an initiative for women directors in conjunction with Hollyoaks and Directors UK. Ade is a member of BAFTA’s TV committee and a Women in Film and Television Board Member.
Sharon Lougher, Head of Features, Metro
Sharon Lougher has worked for Metro’s features desk since 2004, and has since put readers in the room with everyone from Charlie Sheen and Ricky Gervais to two serving UK prime ministers. She has been the newspaper’s chief comedy critic throughout that time, has been shortlisted for the Allen Wright Award for her coverage of the Edinburgh Festival, and has judged more industry competitions than is probably healthy. Metro is now Britain’s largest national weekday newspaper, with 3.4million daily readers. Before Metro, Sharon worked at Time Out, as a journalist and editor across its magazine and travel and consumer guides.
Harriet Gibsone, Deputy Editor, Guardian Guide
Harriet Gibsone is a pop culture journalist and the current Deputy Editor of the Guardian’s Saturday arts supplement, The Guide. She has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade, covering TV, comedy, film and music for organisations such as the Guardian, the Observer, Time Out, The Sunday Times Culture, NME, Nylon, Q Magazine and MTV.
Richard Bucknall, RBM
Richard runs RBM an agency for comedians, actors, writers and presenters. RBM promotes UK tours for a variety of comics including Miles Jupp, John Shuttleworth and Ayesha Hazarika as well as a regular line up of shows at The Edinburgh Fringe.
Lynne Parker, Funny Women Founder and Chief Executive
Lynne is the founder of Funny Women and has gone on to become an award-winning producer and entrepreneur since she set up the company in 2002. As well as being involved with supporting and developing new female comedy talent, Lynne also coaches women and men to use humour in the workplace to improve awareness of gender issues and diversity, build teams, develop self-confidence and create memorable performances.
The 2017 Funny Women Awards Charity Final will take place on 12th March, hosted by Jan Ravens at the Duchess Theatre. For tickets click here!
