Above Title Production Finance has been created by Melissa Hay, Gerry Blair and Richard Rosenberg. We recognise the importance that the theatre and live events producing industry places on specialists it can rely on for a fast, efficient and friendly service. Our dedicated production finance practitioners teamed with a well established accounting practice is a perfect combination that brings its wealth of knowledge and experience together, to create a one stop service.
Mel and Gerry come to Above Title Production Finance from The Ambassador Theatre Group and Sonia Friedman Productions, having spent almost 35 years there between them. During that time Mel worked on over 300 plays and musicals in the West End and UK and International touring, each with its own special set of circumstances. Mel is well versed in all things production accounting including foreign entertainer treatment, withholding tax, VAT and has worked on many theatre tax relief submissions. Gerry has a wealth of experience focusing on the commercial aspects of UK and International productions and has worked across theatre venues, ticketing and production finance. Gerry was part of the industry team that negotiated the theatre tax relief with HM Treasury and HMRC. Prior to this Gerry was at Ernst & Young and The Really Useful Group.
Richard is the co-founder of the established accounting firm SRLV, founded in 1988. He is a chartered accountant and advises clients across a variety of businesses and is one of the leading professional advisors in the UK entertainment industry, acting for a broad spectrum of recording artists/performers, singer/songwriters, record company executives, models, actors and TV personalities. Richard also serves on the board of two AIM listed companies and is a Trustee of Teenage Cancer Trust.
This team can provide any accounting service that is required meaning clients know that the finance side is being looked after all in one place, by one set of people. In turn, this will mean we really know our clients and their needs in detail.
Above Title Production Finance is dedicated to providing a seamless experience to all producers, co-producers and investors. With the creatives on one side of the coin; we’re on the other side and we are passionate about what we do. Being part of the journey to help see projects from start to finish is rewarding to us. We will provide a bespoke package to each client with no unnecessary extras. We have many years of communicating with non-finance minded people and know how to give them the ‘bottom line’ without taking much time out of their day, so they can focus on creating great entertainment!