About Us

Emma Lawson - Scripted Comedy Executive & Co Founder of The North East Comedy Hot House

 
Emma hails from Co Durham and has over 20 years experience in scripted television production and development. She worked for 10 of those years with Ash Atalla (The Office) at Roughcut TV on projects such as Cuckoo, People Just Do Nothing & Hospital People. Emma recently produced Apple TV+ first scripted comedy, Trying, and subsequently joined Jay Hunt’s commissioning team at Apple TV+ leading on comedy. She is now working as a consultant at Universal Music & Mercury Studios across their global scripted slate, as well as producing a new comedy drama for Sky One based on her own experiences of step parenting.

Emma is a passionate regional advocate, working tirelessly on inclusion and mentoring programmes, and energetically pushing for more TV production in the North that showcases its fantastic, fresh talent.

Lisa Laws - Project Manager

Lisa began working as an assistant film editor and script supervisor on Channel 4 shorts and features at 20yrs old before going on to  AD, on HETV & Features including Elizabeth, Eugine Onegan, The Four Feathers, Troy and The One and Only. She likes being in a field. Lisa then joined the regional film and development agency as talent and professional development manager, leaving to Produce the Northern Lights Film Festival, celebrating mischief makers and rule breakers. She provided a platform and commissions for award winning international talent working across music, war reporting, docs and features to  play and have fun.

Working alongside Exec Producer Emma Lawson, Lisa now manages the development and delivery of North East Comedy Hot House, championing Northern comedic talent that wants to provoke and entertain.

Mark Kenny - Talent Development Coordinator

We are chuffed to welcome Mark Kenny to the North East Comedy Hot House team. Mark is our coordinator and is a logic-minded guy who can make things happen.

He loves, lives and breathes comedy and can be found at stand-up gigs, producing sketches and developing comedy ideas. Mark’s personal taste in comedy leans to the cheeky side – the 11pm or later slot – the likes of Monty Python; Aunty Donna; Airplane and The Naked Gun; The Eric Andre Show and The Mighty Boosh.

Mark genuinely cares about championing and growing comedy in the region and likes to have a laugh along the way

Press enquiries - Jo Macleod, Marketing and Communications Manager

Jo is our Marketing and Communications Manager and can be contactable with any press enquiries.

Friends of the Hot House

North East Comedy Hot House have partnered with some fab folk who have lent their skills and support to our talent keeping us connected to London and beyond. If you would like to support us by offering mentoring or advice to our talent, please get in touch!