James Garrett Email and Phone Number

After retiring from TV & video production I returned to my roots as an investigative reporter. On 1 April 2020 - yes, April Fools Day! - I clocked up 40 years' experience as a journalist. It's reassuring that contacts remain willing to share their stories and that there are still outlets prepared to publish them. I'm obliged to Lord Strobes for running my work in Private Eye, to Andrew Lee for finding it a home in The Leveller & Somerset Confidential, and to the Bristol Cable and the Voice series. Particular thanks go to my colleagues in the National Union of Journalists for honouring me with Life Membership.

I ran Clearview Productions for four years before returning to my roots, investigative reporting.Clearview produced a series of short films for a leading law firm, Bristol-based Kelcey & Hall. They asked us to make the films to enhance their revamped website. The firm's lawyers, speaking directly to camera, talked about the areas of law in which they specialise.We made eight films for the Russell Group of leading UK universities, the last of which showcased the benefits to the UK economy of the vast amount of cutting-edge research carried out in its 24 member institutions. The film before that told the life story of the organisation's new chairman, Professor Sir David Greenaway, vice-chancellor of Nottingham University. He was kind enough to say, ' It has come out very well.' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vni9keS3C1cTwo other films for the organisation were first screened to MPs at Westminster before being uploaded to YouTube and www.russellgroup.ac.uk.

I would walk through this magnificent Victorian garden cemetery on my way to work at ITV, where my office overlooked dilapidated, albeit listed, buildings and rampant undergrowth. I considered myself fortunate not to have to worry about the restoration of the 45-acre site. Yet it was ITV's regional ambitions which eventually crumbled, while Arnos Vale became a thriving social enterprise, all the while remaining a wildlife oasis and memorial to the lives of 300,000 people, including my wife’s mother. After serving as a trustee for four years (2009-13) I became one of the first honorary members of AVCT, helping to build a sustainable future for this historic cemetery. Current trustees created the position as a way of recognising contributions made by individuals, through board membership or other supportive activities.

Using the experience gained from more than 30 years in broadcasting, as researcher, reporter, producer and commissioning editor, I worked with numerous independent production companies, helping to develop ideas, pitch them to broadcasters and, having won commissions, deliver the resulting output.1. Fred & Rose: The West Murders - 3 x 60, DMPTV for Investigation Discovery, 2017. Re-acquisition of pioneering series about the UK's worst serial killers.2. They Sold a Million: Ricky Valance - 1 x 40, Quintessence Films for BBC1 Wales, 2012.3. Is Wales Working? - 1 x 60, Absolutely Productions for BBC1 Wales, 2012. Nominated for Welsh Bafta (Current Affairs), 2013.4. (Associate Producer) My Brother The Serial Killer - 1 x 120, David Monaghan Productions for Discovery, 2012.5. El Alamein: The Soldier's Story - 1 x 60, Available Light Productions for UKTV, 2011.6. Hidden Paintings of the West - 1 x 30, Pug Film for BBC1 West & BBC4, 2011.7. Pint-Size or Super-Size: Welsh Mega-Dairies - 1 x 30, Quintessence Films for BBC1 Wales, 2011.8. Beating Beeching - 2 x 30, Testimony Films for BBC2 Wales, 2011.9. Panorama: I Helped My Daughter Die - 1 x 30, Grace Productions for BBC1, 2010; 10. A History of the World: Jenner's Marvellous Medicine - 1 x 30, de facto Films for BBC1 West & BBC4, 2010; 11. Filton's Fabulous Flying Machines - 1 x 30, Serendipity Pictures for BBC1 West, 2010.12. The Channel Islands at War with John Nettles - 3 x 60, Pug Film for UKTV, 2010.13. Royals at War - 1 x 60, Pug Film for UKTV, 2010.14. (Producer) Spending Review: The Points West Debate - 1 x 60, BBC1 West, 2010.

I spent two academic years mentoring Journalism BA students making 10-minute films for their final year major projects. I also helped to deliver an investigative journalism module to students on UWE's Journalism and Docs & Features MA courses.

Bridge Films’ first commission was Britain on the Fiddle, a 3x60’ documentary series for BBC1. Episode 1 was shortlisted in the Best Current Affairs category at the 2014 Grierson Documentary Awards. Editor Jason Porthouse was also nominated for Best Editor by the Bristol RTS. The first two episodes were BBC1's best-rating docs for months, attracting audiences of well over 4 million in Nov 2013 a bigger audience than David Suchet's final outing as Poirot on ITV! We made a series of short films promoting postgraduate study at the University of the West of England. http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/whyuwe/uwestudentstories/gemma-jane-marealestate.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/whyuwe/uwestudentstories/sarah-law.aspxhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoAJNh7umUIAnd we spent three years as preferred supplier to the Russell Group, making a string of promotional films. The last two went live in January 2014, premiered at receptions for educational, political and business leaders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw72WM5X-CM & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjaV7A9gnQ. The previous film - http://youtu.be/1oaZ-bhOqJM - also first aired at a similar event.Our first film for the Russell Group went live in 2012 on its website and that of the 1994 Group: www.russellgroup.ac.uk/dangoor-video. The second, which promoted the Russell Group's Informed Choices strategy, has been watched over 20,000 times since delivery in autumn 2012. http://youtu.be/54kKLOkoFxk.

I led the in-house production teams at ITV West between 2002-08 and managed the company's relationship with independent producers during an unsettling time of major change in commercial public service broadcasting. I won many commissions from other broadcasters, including output deals with Channel 4 News and Teachers TV. I assisted staffers to make the transition to freelance or independent status, while managing a declining programme budget, augmenting it through sales & co-productions.In addition to my commissioning and managerial responsibilities I continued doing the job which first took me to ITV West (then HTV West) in 1994 - researching, producing and voicing investigative current affairs documentaries for West Eye View. I produced and presented episode one, series one, transmitted in January 1995, and was still editor when the last episode went out in December 2008. It was far and away the best job ever! Head of Current Affairs, 1997-2002. Editor, Current Affairs, 1996-97. Editor, West Eye View, 1995-96. Investigations Producer, 1994-95.

Reporter, BBC Radio Bristol, 1986. Journalist, BBC Points West, 1986-90. Political Correspondent, BBC West, 1990-94. Documentary Producer, BBC West, 1993-94.

I was an investigative writer for the magazine, securing the first published interview with the Master of the (until then) secretive Society of Merchant Venturers. I later produced the first TV programme about the Society. Now it has its own website! I also produced the first regional power list, detailing the identities and interests of the most influential people in Bristol & Bath. In a back-handed compliment, Venue included me in a later issue, noting, 'Garrett...has won awards for West Eye View investigative programmes. Given that ITV is cutting its regional output, there may not be too many more.' Indeed!

Much as I loved being a reporter on UK regional newspapers, the wages paid by their bosses were shockingly poor. (Sadly, they still are.) I might have tried my hand at something else entirely had the SBC job not come along. Later, the experience smoothed my way into UK broadcast journalism, where it was possible to earn a decent wage. And I made some good friends, not to mention learning to ski on the slopes of the Bernese Oberland on my days off!Sub-editor, producing news bulletins for Bern-based Swiss Radio International, and newsreader for SRI's English language service.

General news reporter, specialising in investigations.

Watching All The President’s Men made me want to become a reporter. That and the outrage I felt at the British government’s decision to prosecute Crispin Aubrey, John Berry & Duncan Campbell for revealing in Time Out the existence of GCHQ. The EADT allowed me to realise that ambition.Indentured trainee reporter, Felixstowe district office, 1980-81. General reporter, Ipswich head office newsroom, 1981-82. Passed NCTJ proficiency test, 1982.