VFX Studio Framestore Promotes Mel Sullivan To CEO; William Sargent Stepping Down

Oscar and BAFTA-winning vfx studio Framestore is shaking things up at the top, and have announced that Mel Sullivan will take over as CEO.

Here are the details of the appointment.

• Sullivan will take over for founding member and current CEO William Sargent, who is leaving the role to focus on the wider Framestore Company 3 Group. Framestore purchased U.S.-based Company 3 in November 2020.

• Framestore has worked on blockbusters including Tim Burton’s Dumbo, the Paddington films, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Gravity, and Blade Runner 2049.
• Sullivan joined Framestore in 1998, and most recently served as chief operating officer.
• During her tenure, she has helped the company grow from a small London outfit with 150 employees to a global operation with more than 3,000 artists, producers, and technologists on the payroll.
• In her new position, Sullivan will increase her focus on the company’s strategic direction, with CFO Claire Price taking over the daily financial responsibilities for Framestore and Company 3.
• She will be supported in the new role by Fiona Walkinshaw, who will take over as chief executive officer of film and episodic, and Charles Howell, who will serve as president of global advertising and content.
• “From day one I always felt like Framestore had a rare, lightning-in-a-bottle quality as a company,” said Sullivan in a release. “I think it stems from a unique mixture of creativity, collaboration, and boldness of vision – it sets our work apart and it sets our people apart, and it’s something we’ve been keen to hold onto throughout the integration of studios in Montreal, Vancouver, and Melbourne, the growth of our Mumbai studio, and the strides we’re making in fields like real-time, machine learning, and virtual production. I’ve been constantly amazed by the people here and what they do, and it’s my absolute pleasure to be playing an even bigger part in Framestore’s story as we move forward. I’m grateful to William for his ongoing support, and to an incredible management team whose diligence and expertise have helped so much on this ongoing journey.”
• “Framestore has grown and evolved in startling ways since we started the company with five people and a big idea,” added Sargent. “From ad spots and pop promos for David Bowie and Madonna, we’ve moved into blockbuster franchises, tentpole episodic productions, and landmark theme park installations. In less than five years, the company has doubled in size and expanded into three new territories, so it definitely feels like Mel is taking the reins at another pivotal stage of the company’s evolutionary growth. I have absolutely no doubt that under her stewardship we will see the company continue its ambitious trajectory.”

Pictured at top: Framestore projects “Tom and Jerry,” “Paddington 2,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu”