Pathé’s U.K. arm has bolstered its top team by appointing Emma Luffingham as its creative director, TV, and Claudia Yusef as its creative director, film.
The double hire “cements Pathé’s ambitions in global film and television and is another step in a growth initiative for the French studio into English-language production and follows the recent arrival of Ben Browning as Co-CEO of Pathé U.K.,” said the French production and exhibition giant. Both Luffingham and Yusef will report to co-CEOs Browning and Faith Penhale.
Luffingham served as head of development at World Productions for six years, overseeing the company’s drama slate and most recently serving as executive producer on acclaimed series including Malpractice, Karen Pirie and Showtrial. In her new role at Pathé, she will work closely with Penhale and will be responsible for expanding and shaping a growing slate of premium television projects.
Yusef was most recently a commissioning executive at BBC Film, where she executive-produced a number of films, such as In Camera, The End We Start From, The Outrun, and Hamlet.
Browning and Penhale said: “Emma and Claudia both have deep creative relationships and career track records which speak to their immense talent. Their hires signal the scale of our ambition in the U.K. and we can’t wait to see what’s to come as we write this next chapter of Pathé.”
Yusef added: “It’s an honour to join Ben and the rest of the team at Pathé, a company with such an illustrious history, and at such a pivotal and exciting time in its recommitment to international film,” while Luffingham said the company is at “a defining moment in its iconic history.”
“I have long admired the extraordinary body of work Faith has produced throughout her stellar career, and I cannot wait to roll my sleeves up and work alongside her to grow an ambitious TV slate and continue to champion the phenomenal creative talent we have in the U.K.”
