Former Channel 4 commissioner and acclaimed Big Brother producer, Ramy El-Bergamy, has assumed the role of head of development at Wander Films, a prominent Middlesbrough-based content marketing agency. With nearly two decades of experience in the television industry, El-Bergamy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Wander, propelling the well-established agency to new heights.
Over the past five years, Wander’s team of 20 has successfully produced captivating social media content for renowned brands such as KPMG, Hampton by Hilton, and McDonald’s. Now, with an eye toward fulfilling their long-held aspiration of venturing into television, the agency aims to develop original intellectual property and groundbreaking formats within the realm of factual entertainment.
Before joining Wander, El-Bergamy made significant contributions as Channel 4’s on-screen diversity executive, spearheading efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in on-screen talent. He subsequently moved into commissioning within the daytime team, overseeing some of the channel’s flagship shows, including Four in a Bed, Come Dine With Me, and A Place in the Sun.
Under El-Bergamy’s leadership, Channel 4’s groundbreaking Onscreen Year of Disability initiative in 2016 witnessed a remarkable increase in diverse representation. More than 20 of the network’s flagship programs featured double the number of individuals with disabilities compared to previous years.
El-Bergamy’s remarkable career encompasses esteemed tenures at ITV, STV, Lime Pictures, and Endemol, among others, where he worked on iconic productions such as The Chase, The Voice, and Geordie Shore. Through perseverance and dedication, he steadily climbed the ranks from researcher to executive over the course of nearly two decades.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role at Wander, El-Bergamy states, “I am excited to bring my dedication and passion to Wander Films as we grow our ambition of moving into TV and digital. I look forward to continuing to positively impact the industry and aligning with Wander’s commitment to an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to be seen and heard.”
The founders of Wander Films, Lou Tonner and Chloë Clover, share their excitement regarding El-Bergamy’s appointment, affirming, “We’re stoked to have a proper TV legend like Ramy join the team. It’s a super exciting time with a lot of momentum in Wander. The TV and digital space right now is ready to be shaken up, and we’re going to be part of the movement.”
This significant appointment has been made possible with the support of match-funding from the REACH Film and TV Development Grant Award. This grant, provided by North East Screen, aims to foster exceptional content creation and support the growth of creative businesses in the North East of England.
Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Business Development at North East Screen, comments on El-Bergamy’s appointment, stating, “Ramy’s exceptional track record makes him the perfect fit to drive Wander’s broadcast TV development slate forward. With his extensive connections and experience, he is well-positioned to develop and secure broadcast commissions. Wander brings a new voice, fresh perspectives, and a real appetite for television that audiences and commissioners will love.”
