Duane Jones

Channel 4 Corporation has made a new investment from its £20m Growth Fund, taking a minority stake in Renowned Films.

Renowned Films was co-founded by Duane Jones, Max Welch and Tim Withers in 2012. Max and Tim dropped out of their first year at Bournemouth University after they met BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Duane whilst making a documentary for a major record label. The trio connected through their passion to disrupt traditional broadcast media and create innovative factual entertainment and documentaries using emerging technology and platforms to tell fresh stories to young audiences.

Duane left his Sony Gold Award winning drive time BBC show to launch Renowned Films with Max and Tim and they secured London Live’s first major commission, F2 Kicks Off (16×30’). The highest rating series for the channel to date, it followed football freestylers Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch’s stunt journey across London and has since been licensed to over 14 territories worldwide.

Duane with former co-host Ace (the Ace & Vis show) during his BBC 1Xtra days

Duane said:

“Renowned Films is thrilled to start a new chapter in our development, bolstered by the support of Channel 4. As a company built by young creatives from the ground up, we share the broadcaster’s commitment to innovation, experimentation, and the development of burgeoning British talent. The Growth Fund investment allows us to continue our mission to engage and entertain today’s youth audience with the forward-thinking content they deserve.”

Congratulations  Duane, Max and Tim.