Derren Lawford is the founder and CEO of DARE Pictures, an award-winning production company dedicated to culturally and globally relevant storytelling. His career spans more than two decades across broadcast, streaming, digital, branded entertainment and mission-led narratives, with a track record of building teams, shaping editorial direction and delivering work that travels.

At DARE, he leads on slate strategy, partnerships, talent, development and organisational growth — driving ambitious original formats, documentaries and brand-aligned storytelling. His focus is on stories that challenge, connect and scale; content rooted in purpose and perspective that also performs.

Before founding DARE, Derren held leadership roles in commissioning, development and production across TV, SVOD, digital, marketing and radio.

Throughout his career, Derren has shaped landmark ventures and worked with globally recognisable talent and institutions. He helped launch London Live and was a founding member of BBC Radio 1Xtra, as well as part of the team that launched BBC Global iPlayer and pioneered short-form storytelling inside the BBC.

He has collaborated with leading creatives and cultural figures including Idris Elba, Daniel Kaluuya, Joseph Fiennes, Alfie Allen, Jamal Edwards and Kano. His development and production work has secured commissions or distribution with platforms and broadcasters such as Netflix, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, Discovery, Channel 5, Histoire and UKTV, and at Woodcut Media he helped generate more than 300 hours of IP. His brand partnerships include YouTube, Jaguar Land Rover, Blackberry and Public Health England.

His experience spans the creative, commercial and strategic sides of media — from talent development to partnerships, platform growth and audience positioning. He has also championed Black talent — from consulting for next-generation media ventures such as Dose of Society to being part of the team behind the BAFTA-winning documentary The Black Cop.