About Jen Thakar

Jen Thakar is a highly respected business strategy and leadership consultant with deep expertise in the creative industries, particularly broadcasting and digital media. Based in the United Kingdom, she brings analytical rigor and strategic vision to creative companies navigating the evolving landscape of television, digital content, and technology innovation.

Her career spans senior positions at major UK broadcasters including Channel 4, where she served as Head of Innovation, and Community Channel/Media Trust, where she pioneered their digital transformation. She has also contributed to industry development as a judge for the prestigious Broadcast Awards and as an organizing committee member for the Edinburgh International TV Festival.

Expertise & Specializations

Jen brings comprehensive knowledge across multiple areas of media and creative business:

Business Strategy & Consultancy

• Creative Industries Focus - Specialized consultancy for TV and media companies
• Strategic Planning - Long-term business strategy development and implementation
• Leadership Development - Executive coaching and organizational leadership
• Industry Analysis - Deep understanding of broadcasting and digital media trends

Broadcasting & Digital Media

• Video on Demand - Launched pioneering VOD services for broadcasters
• Digital Transformation - Integration of web and on-air broadcast content
• Content Strategy - Cross-platform content planning and delivery
• Innovation Management - Leading technological and creative innovation projects

Technology & Innovation

• Technology-Creativity Integration - Rare ability to bridge technical and creative domains
• Platform Development - Experience launching digital platforms and services
• Future Content Delivery - Strategic vision for evolving content distribution
• Interactive Media - Expertise in interactive broadcasting and audience engagement

Industry Leadership

• Broadcast Awards Judge - Two consecutive years (2018-2019)
• Edinburgh TV Festival - Organizing Committee Member (2013-2014)
• BIMA - Vice Chair (2013-2016) and Executive Committee Member
• Professional Organizations - Active in RTS and Women in Film and Television

Career Highlights

Consultancy & Strategic Advisory

Self-Employed Business Consultant Currently provides business, strategy, and leadership consultancy to creative companies in the television and media sectors. Her analytical approach combined with creative industry understanding helps organizations navigate complex strategic challenges.

Industry Event Judging Contributed expertise to the Indielab Innovation Awards and GrowthLab judging panels, recognizing excellence in creative innovation and supporting emerging talent in the industry.

Broadcasting Innovation

Channel 4 - Head of Innovation (2004-2007) Led innovation initiatives at one of the UK's most creative and risk-taking public service broadcasters during a transformative period for digital media. This role required balancing cutting-edge technology implementation with Channel 4's creative editorial vision.

Community Channel/Media Trust - Online & Interactive Manager Spearheaded digital transformation with several major achievements:

• Launched First VOD Service - Pioneered video on demand for the channel, making content accessible beyond traditional broadcast
• Website Relaunch - Complete redesign and relaunch of channel's digital presence
• Web-Broadcast Integration - Successfully integrated online and on-air content, creating cohesive cross-platform experience
• Database Development - Managed cross-organizational multi-function database projects
• Government Funding - Secured government funding for volunteer-promotion initiatives

This work required operating in an environment that embraced creativity while managing limited financial resources - demonstrating her ability to deliver ambitious projects within constraints.

Industry Recognition & Leadership

Broadcast Awards Judge (2018-2019) Served as judge for the prestigious Broadcast Awards for two consecutive years, contributing expertise to recognize excellence in British television production and innovation.

Edinburgh International TV Festival - Organizing Committee (2013-2014) Member of the organizing committee for one of television's most important industry events, helping shape programming and discussions that influence the future of broadcasting.

BIMA - Vice Chair & Executive Committee Held senior leadership position as Vice Chair (2013-2016) of the British Interactive Media Association, representing the intersection of media and technology innovation.

Professional Memberships

• Royal Television Society (RTS)
• Women in Film and Television (WFTV)

Professional Approach & Philosophy

Jen's approach to media business strategy is distinguished by several key strengths:

Analytical & Strategic Thinking

Highly analytical and dedicated approach to problem-solving, bringing data-driven insights to creative challenges. Her strategic thinking helps organizations identify opportunities and navigate complex market dynamics.

Technology-Creative Integration

Possesses an "uncommon understanding of how technology and creativity can mix" - bridging the gap between technical possibilities and creative ambitions that many struggle to connect.

Knowledge & Industry Insight

Known for her "thirst for industry news and knowledge," staying current with broadcasting trends, interactive media, future content delivery models, and technological innovation. This continuous learning ensures her strategic advice reflects current and emerging realities.

Technical Excellence in Digital

Impressive technical knowledge and ability in the online space, demonstrated through successful launches of digital platforms and services. Can translate technical capabilities into strategic opportunities.

Balancing Ambition & Reality

Proven ability to operate in environments that embrace creativity while managing financial constraints - delivering ambitious projects within realistic parameters.

Collaborative Leadership

Described as "great fun to work with" and "a complete professional" - combining expertise with collaborative approach that makes her both effective and enjoyable colleague.

Education & Training

Henley Business School

Business education from one of Europe's leading business schools, providing foundation in strategic management, leadership, and organizational development.

Industry Contributions

Beyond her direct professional roles, Jen has contributed to the broadcasting and creative industries through:

Judging & Awards

• Broadcast Awards Judge (2018-2019)
• Indielab Innovation Awards Judge
• GrowthLab Judging Panel

Industry Organizations

• Edinburgh International TV Festival Organizing Committee
• BIMA Vice Chair and Executive Committee
• Royal Television Society Member
• Women in Film and Television Member

Thought Leadership

Recognized for engaging in "many excellent conversations about broadcasting, interactivity, future delivery of content" that contribute to industry discourse and strategic thinking.

Professional Testimonials

Jeremy Smith praises her analytical dedication and understanding of technology-creativity integration: "Not only is Jen great fun to work with, she is also highly analytical and dedicated, with an uncommon understanding of how technology and creativity can mix."

Sinéad Sillars (Hughes) highlights her technical excellence and learning culture: "Her thirst for industry news and knowledge made for many excellent conversations about broadcasting, interactivity, future delivery of content... Her technical knowledge and ability in the online space was impressive... the kind of colleague that you can not just work alongside, but also learn from."

Connect with Jen

• Available for: Business strategy consultancy, leadership development, creative industry advisory

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Jen Thakar is a business strategy and leadership consultant specializing in creative industries. With senior experience at Channel 4 and Community Channel/Media Trust, plus industry leadership roles including Broadcast Awards judge and BIMA Vice Chair, she offers strategic vision and analytical expertise to broadcasting and media companies navigating digital transformation.