Forest is an award-winning, truly independent production company. We make high impact, innovative and thought provoking documentaries and podcast series. We’re also on a mission to plant a load of trees.
About Us
Jez Lee
Creative Director and Co-Founder
Jez is a BAFTA, RTS, Grierson and Emmy nominated Executive Producer. Working across a range of factual genres in TV and audio, he has a reputation for creating innovative popular factual franchises and formats. Recent credits include Santa Claus: The Serial Killer, Scam Land, Hometown, The Battle for Britney and Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me.
Before co-founding Forest, Jez was Head of Factual at 7Wonder. Previous to that he served his time at Jamie Oliver’s production company Fresh One where he was responsible for a raft of critically acclaimed Channel 4 shows including the Emmy nominated Don’t Stop the Music.
Mobeen Azhar
Co-Founder
Mobeen Azhar is a journalist and filmmaker. He makes access-based documentaries across television and radio. He has produced and presented content across BBC Television, Radio and Online for over almost 20 years.
Mobeen is a Bafta, Grierson, Royal Television Society and Amnesty International award winner.
His specialist areas include religion, extremism and counter extremism, drugs, addiction, sex work, Prince and Pakistan.
Amy Maher
Head of Development
Amy has a strong background in Development and a keen sense of what makes a brilliant and innovative story.
Her Development experience is far reaching with previous experience as Director of Development (maternity cover) at STV, as well as development executive at RDF Television and Firecracker Films.
She has worked on shows such as Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over and Emma Willis Delivering Babies for UKTV, Mums Make Porn and How the other kids live for Channel 4.
Stephanie Edwards
Head of Production
Stephanie Edwards spent over 20 years at the BBC working as a Production Manager on many high-profile series across a wide range of genres including Louis Theroux, Life & Death Row, The One Show, Watchdog, Crimewatch and EastEnders. She also worked as a Talent Manager for BBC London Factual and ran their post production facilities for several years.
Since becoming freelance, Stephanie has worked as a Line Producer and as a Talent Manager. She joined Forest as Head of Production in September 2019.
Pete Sale
Creative Director of Forest Sounds
Pete has been making podcasts since 2006 as an Exec Producer, Producer and Sound Designer. He specialises in true crime and factual narrative. Recent credits include *The Messenger, Hot Money, Squid Scam, Dead Man Talking and Hometown: A Killing.
Previously he worked on Football Weekly at the Guardian and The Daily from the New York Times. He also made radio documentaries for the BBC.
Pete's podcasts have been recognised at the British Podcast Awards, Arias, Ambies, Society of Editors, and the Webbies.
Stefan Mattison
Producer
A versatile Producer who works across development and production Stefan has had a hand in creating a range of documentary films and fact-ent series for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
He joined Forest in January 2020 and helped the team secure their first BBC Two commission, Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash and Conservatorships. He then later went on to direct The Trouble with KanYe also for BBC Two.
People We’ve Worked With
