Dimension announces expansion with key executive hires

Dimension, the leading virtual production studio, has announced the hire of four new senior team members — two new Executive Producers, a Head of Operations, and a Creative Director — bolstering its staff to over 250 people.

Last month, Dimension expanded its partnership with visual entertainment services company DNEG, to create DNEG 360, alongside the debut of its two studios in London and Rome.

The new team members each bring unique expertise to fulfil Dimension’s expansive offering, which comprises end-to-end production services including virtual humans, visualisation, virtual production, content creation, and development services.

The hires signal the studio’s significant investment in creative new production techniques for feature films, episodic series, live events, advertising, music videos, immersive entertainment, and more.

New hires include Mark Bustard and Ben Lumsden who join the team as Executive Producers, Jo Fletcher Manawa as Head of Operations, and George Murphy who has joined as Creative Director.

Mark brings with him over 20 years of experience in the live events industry. He most recently served as Managing Director of the nvisible Agency, working with legendary promoter Harvey Goldsmith to provide white label project management and production services for global events including Live Nation, Glastonbury Festival, and Ultra Music Festivals Worldwide.

Ben brings extensive knowledge of the virtual production landscape to his new role as Executive Producer. Having managed Andy Serkis’ brainchild, The Imaginarium Studios, for many years, his credits include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest. Most recently, Ben spent six years with Epic Games, leading the ever-expanding use of Unreal Engine in film and episodic.

Ben’s appointment signals his return to production following six years as an evangelist for the industry. As Executive Producer, Ben will lead major productions at Dimension and DNEG 360’s new West London virtual production complex.

Head of Operations, Jo Fletcher Manawa, has experience across both live events and the film industry. Previous positions include stage managing events at iconic venues like Wembley and the O2, as well as managing large global teams for film projects. These include The Lion King (2019) — for which her team won a VES for Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature — Prehistoric Planet and House of the Dragon. She joins us having headed operations in her previous two roles.

And finally, award winning Visual Effects and Look Supervisor — whose credits include an Oscar, BAFTA, and multiple Emmys and Clios — George Murphy, joins the team as Creative Director.

George brings with him extensive experience in all aspects of digital effects work, following a thirty-year career on the leading edge of visual storytelling. He is an expert in solving visual challenges for film, episodic and digital media projects, and specialises in bringing together diverse visual elements to create engaging images of reality and fantasy that are faithful to the chosen style of the story.

Speaking of Dimension’s new hires, Steve Jelley, Co-CEO at Dimension Studio said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Ben, Jo and George to the team. They bring exceptional experience and success from the film and entertainment industry and join Dimension as we continue to grow our world-class virtual production capabilities and expand an integrated offering across film, episodic and broader narrative based entertainment experiences.

“Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the growth of Dimension and their combined blend of creativity, experience, and vision will propel us forward. We are not just growing our team; we are enhancing our contribution to an industry that continues to evolve and inspire the world. I am excited to see the new heights we will reach together.”