Nicola Shindler keynote speaker at Made in Rochdale Trade Fair

Nicola Shindler

Talented businesswoman, Nicola Shindler will be the keynote speaker at the Made in Rochdale Trade Fair 2008. Ms Shindler grew up in Bamford, Rochdale attending local primary and secondary schools. After studying for her degree, she started her career as a trainee Script Editor and Sales Manager at the Royal Court Theatre which led to jobs working on award-winning dramas such as Cracker by Jimmy McGovern.

As she progressed into Assistant Producer and Producer roles, Ms Shindler decided to set up her own business - Red Production Company in January 1998. The independent company, named after the nickname of her favourite football team – Manchester United - is based in Granada Studios in Quay Street, Manchester and its ethos is to work with writers on modern, innovative and entertaining dramas.

Red first went into production with Russell T Davies 8 part serial, Queer As Folk, for Channel 4. It has since flourished, producing original drama such as the memorable Clocking Off, The Second Coming with Christopher Eccleston, Linda Green and most recently, The Mark of Cain, a provocative, graphic and moving portrayal of a group of young British soldiers in Iraq. Red also has a number of other projects in development with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Ms Shindler - in her mid-thirties - is described as a “one-woman hit factory” in many a broadcasting guide, but insists she is merely part of a capable team and the success of her often controversial shows is hugely reliant on the strength of the writers. Her company, which was unsuccessfully targeted by Granada in 2000, turns over around £15M and Nicola was listed yesterday (23 March) in the Times newspaper’s “top 40 under 40 in the Media Industry”.

Ms Shindler is particularly keen to support the Rochdale Women’s Enterprise Network and pass on some of the lessons she has learned as an entrepreneur and “working mum” to the exhibitors and members involved in Made in Rochdale 2008.

The Trade Fair at Heywood Civic Hall is free and open to the public from 11am-6.30pm this Friday and from 9am – 3pm on Saturday. It also includes an exhibition of local artists and help for budding entrepreneurs. Join in the fun outside with entertainment from Rochdale Borough Youth Band, Tower FM and Skylight Circus.