Derren launched DARE Pictures in 2022 and in the same year was part of the team behind the BAFTA award-winning film THE BLACK COP. Prior to DARE Pictures, he was Creative Director at Woodcut Media for 8 years overseeing editorial strategy and executive producing a trio of documentaries sold to Netflix. He joined Woodcut from London Live where he acquired and commissioned scripted and non-scripted series. While there he gave TV debuts to a host of diverse talent, from YouTubers to new production companies and was named in the British Interactive Media Association’s Hot 100. Prior to London Live he was Head of Content for youth marketing agency, Livity where he created and managed a team overseeing a range of TV, online and brand funded content and was named in the Powerlist’s Under 40s. He started his career as a trained journalist before helping to launch a youth TV station and then joining the BBC where during a 12-year stint he held senior roles in TV, online, radio and SVOD.

James is a content & communications consultant and the founder of Picaroons (a content creation agency).  His experience as a digital insights expert and content strategist led him to working with the likes of Facebook, IBM, Philips, Samsung, SEAT, Booking.com, GSK, ESPN, Bupa and P&G. James is a qualified business coach and a successful podcast host (check out Chats with Dad). He regularly features as a guest on other podcasts talking about digital marketing, running an agency remotely and the pirate business mindset. As a sought-after speaker James has educated over 2,000 SMEs, startups and charities, how to increase their sales, donations and leads online.