UK production and sales outfit Embankment Films has hired former WestEnd Films and AI Film executive Toby Hill as head of production and acquisitions.
Hill will lead all of Embankment’s management of intellectual property, converting IP into production and global distribution. He will collaborate closely with producer Kevin Loader – whose London-based production outfit Free Range Films joined forces in May of this year with Embankment to form new umbrella company, Free Range Entertainment – plus Embankment CEO Tim Haslam and co-founding partner Hugo Grumbar.
Hill takes over from Max Pirkis, head of acquisitions and distribution, who leaves Embankment after nine years. Hill’s evolved job title reflects the company’s shift into production.
While head of acquisitions at UK-based financing outfit AI Film, Hill greenlit titles such as I, Tonya, American Animals, Mr Holmes and The Butler. Since 2018, he has been head of acquisitions and development at WestEnd Films, working on Mr Malcolm’s List, The Last Rifleman and the forthcoming Freud’s Last Session starring Anthony Hopkins.
His Embankment appointment reunites him with former colleague Grumbar, having worked together at the now-closed Icon Film Distribution, while managing Icon’s UK distribution acquisitions including A Single Man and Once.
Loader said: “Toby’s experience is rooted in distribution, production, and financing; he is such a well-liked cinephile who is, critically, both audience and finance facing. His metier in development and production is informed by satisfying audience demand, and the harsh reality of opening weekend screen averages, holdover bookings, and platform socio-demographics.”
“While Embankment is in post-production and delivery of seven movies to global markets, I join highly energised to compliment the company’s dynamic delivery of high-quality storytelling, excited to contribute to a formidable brand and growing business that is going places,” said Hill.
Haslam added: “While we happily gain in Toby, we are also sad to lose Max Pirkis, who leaves us to start up an exciting new venture. One of Embankment’s best decisions was to hire Max nine years ago, and while he will be sorely missed by us all, we are deeply thankful to Max, and proud that Max has developed into a highly respected top-tier acquisitions executive. We’ll really enjoy observing Max’s future successes and will always cherish him as a close friend.”
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