Helen Kruger Bratt
Managing Director
Helen joined Monkey from Lime Pictures, where she served as Head of Production for three years encompassing Lime Unscripted, Wise Owl films and Lion Television. During her time, Helen helped grow the business and slate of entertainment, reality, documentary and popular factual commissions for major broadcasters and platforms. Titles she oversaw include the long-running hit series The Only Way is Essex for ITVBe, E4’s Celebs Go Dating and MTV’s Geordie Shore.
Laura Gibson
Creative Director
Laura joined Monkey from Talkback Productions where she served as Creative Director. During her time at Talkback Laura created worldwide Netflix reality hit "Too Hot To Handle", ITV hit game show "Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow ", critically acclaimed BBC2 travelogue "Last Woman On Earth With Sara Pascoe" and developed ITV's award winning "Harry’s Heroes" and Netflix quiz show "Cheat". She was instrumental in bringing "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" with Greg Davies and Daisy May Cooper to Sky and US format "Password" with Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper to ITV. Prior to Talkback Laura was Vice President of Unscripted Development for Los Angeles-based indie 44 Blue Productions. Previously she was Vice President of Unscripted Development for Endemol Shine North America, where she developed a new NBC dance series with Channing Tatum, Hunted for CBS and Almost Impossible Game Show for MTV. Prior to her move to the US Laura was Creative Director Comedy Entertainment for ITV Studios UK.
Heidi Birkett
Head of On-Screen Talent
As the Head of Talent at Monkey, Heidi is responsible for all productions and development for on-screen talent. From A-List stars to Elves with a few Made in Chelsea bods in-between, if they are in front of the camera for Monkey, Heidi is their first point of call.
Andy Charles Smith
Executive Producer
Andy joined Monkey having produced shows for a number of leading indies and broadcasters. With a background in live and studio entertainment, his credits include classic entertainment formats such as Surprise Surprise and Tonight At The London Palladium as well as several successful first series across genres from Naked Attraction and Alan Carr’s New Year’s Specstacular to Animal Rescue Live and What Would Your Kid Do?
Emily Rai
Head of Production
Emily has worked at Monkey as a Line Producer and a Production Executive. Now fulfilling the role of Head of Production Emily works across the development and production slate to ensure that we work efficiently to deliver high quality content. Prior to joining Monkey, Emily worked across genre on lots of shows including The Island with Bear Grylls, The Grand Tour and Masterchef.
Hannah Peddar
Production Executive
Hannah joined Monkey as Production Executive in 2020 and oversees a number of shows across their production slate.
Previously, she was a Line Producer in predominantly comedy and entertainment, working on programmes including ‘Have I got News for You’, ‘The Ranganation’ and Alan Carr’s Chatty Man amongst others.Abby Woolf
Head of Development
With over 15 years experience in comedy, entertainment and factual entertainment development and production, Abby's career includes stints at BBC Studios, Endemol Shine Group (now Banijay) and ITV Studios. Abby prides herself on her brilliant relationships with talent, agents, producers and commissioners, and loves developing ideas from page to screen, especially with emerging talent. Her previous credits include BBC and Netflix reality competition series Glow Up and the reboot of MTV’s Cribs.
Sarah-Jane Facer
Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs
SJ is the Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs and looks after all of Monkey’s developments and productions including overseeing production legal, compliance, business and commercial affairs. SJ joined Monkey in 2017 having previously worked at both FremantleMedia on entertainment shows such as The X Factor and The Apprentice and on scripted drama programmes including Life On Mars, Spooks and Clocking Off at the law firm Lee & Thompson.
Lavinia Roye
Production Accountant
Lavinia started out as a Production Accountant at ITV, working in the Entertainment Department on shows such as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Parkinson & Brainiac. She then went on to work at award winning indies Darlow Smithson Productions (I Shouldn’t Be Alive) & Raw TV (Gold Rush), as the Senior Production Accountant, before coming to Monkey.
Maaria Irtizaali
Production Accountant
Having worked as a freelancer in the world of scripted drama for a number of years, Maaria joined Monkey as a Production Accountant in 2015. She has worked over a variety of shows including the Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Natasha Bardusco
Executive Producer - Real Housewives of Cheshire
Natasha is the Executive Producer of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, joining the show in 2018 at Monkey’s Manchester office. Prior to this Natasha produced large scale reality and structured reality shows with credits including Big Brother, Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model, TOWIE and The Circle.
Labake Ajimobi
Receptionist
Labake joined Monkey in 2023 as our friendly and welcoming receptionist. Labake can be counted on for meeting and greeting Monkey guests, providing the office tunes and organising Monkey socials.