Matt Richards is a Director and Executive Producer for Air TV - a television production company based at Church Fenton. The company makes several emergency shows such as Helicopter ER with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and 999 Rescue Squad with a specialist paramedic unit in Leeds. They also make the classic car auction series Bangers & Cash, and several other documentaries.
Air TV has been named as one of the best places to work in TV and the company have picked up several prestigious RTS awards for their work.
Matt previously worked for the BBC for more than 15 years, starting as a news reporter and video journalist for BBC News before moving into programme making as an Assistant Producer and Producer/Director. From filming in Syrian refugee camps, to following car rallies across the Sahara and scrambling with Australia’s flying doctors, Matt has filmed in some pretty challenging and unpredictable situations.
He’s a qualified air ambulance Technical Crew Member and is one of Air TV’s licensed drone operators. Matt also runs an outdoor adventure charity and is a qualified mountaineering and rock climbing instructor.
In this episode we follow Matt’s journey through the tv industry, discussing how he’s used his work to follow his passions. We chat about the tremendous value he’s seen from in investing in personal relationships, about learning to manage risk through outdoor adventure activities, and Matt tells us why there’s no better place to make television than Yorkshire.
#49: Matt Richards - Air TV