SCOTLAND'S largest film and TV studio campus has been purchased by two US-based firms that lead globally in what has been described as confirming the "growing confidence" in Scotland as a world-class production destination.
The Wardpark Studio is located in Cumbernauld and takes in 14-acres across the campus with around 200,000 square feet of studio space including five sound stages, production offices, workshops and an external green screen area.
The studio is currently home to the sixth season of the hit TV series Outlander with all previous seasons also filmed at the campus.
The space, Scotland's largest and only full-service studio, has been purchased by Hackman Capital Partners and in partnership with Square Mile Capital Management. The Wardpark staff will remain unchanged.
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Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson, said: “This excellent news confirms the growing confidence in Scotland as a world-class, film- and TV-making destination.
"Wardpark Film and Television Studios play an important role in our vibrant and fast-growing screen industry, and Hackman Capital Partners and The MBS Group will further promote this first-class production facility to the international market.
“Scotland’s studios, including Wardpark, offer excellent training and apprenticeship opportunities to the many young people who are attracted to careers in production. Our investment in training through Screen Scotland and Skills Development Scotland continues to build up our reputation for world-class creative, technical and craft talent.
"We are committed to developing our screen infrastructure to capitalise on the unprecedented interest it is bringing in."
Founder and CEO of Hackman Capital Partners, Michael Hackman said: “We’re thrilled to be adding Wardpark Film and Television Studios to our distinguished portfolio and excited to be entering the Scottish production market.
“Wardpark has been a strong catalyst for growth in the country’s creative sector, and Scotland has become an important filming destination for international content creators, thanks in part to its lush landscape and scenery and competitive tax credits, as well as its top talent pool.”
Square Mile Capital CEO Craig Solomon added: “We look forward to participating in, and contributing to the further growth of the Scottish entertainment industry, as the global demand for high-quality film and TV content shows no sign of slowing.”
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Executive director of Screen Scotland, Isabel Davis, said: “Wardpark Studios has led the surge in production from Scotland for many years now and remains at the forefront. Its success is synonymous with local talent at every level, from the visionary entrepreneurship of Terry Thomson, to the world-class design of the studio itself, and the hundreds of highly skilled people who have worked on Outlander across six seasons. It has been, from the start, a phenomenal training ground for scores of new entrants to the valuable and fast-growing Scottish screen sector.
“It’s great to see that Terry’s success story has caught the attention of a global player and we look forward to working with the Hackman Capital Partners, The MBS Group and the Wardpark team in pursuit of further growth for the Scottish film and TV industry.”
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