A producer has started her own independent TV production company, based in Inverclyde, after she received specialist support from Business Gateway.

Rachel-Anne Clarke founded Pure Leo Ltd. in March 2023. The business is the only TV production company with a live events arm, and is also looking to expand into talent representation.

Pure Leo is focused on comedy productions, including stand-up comedy shows with comedians like Josie Long, Chris Thorburn and Kirsty Lynch. Rachel-Anne previously worked in factual TV before moving into comedy at BBC Studios, where she worked on shows like Two Doors Down and Mrs Brown’s Boys.

Motivated to ensure people outside of the big cities were able to experience live comedy, the business is proudly based in Inverclyde, and brings comedy to fans across the west coast, with live events in Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.

Earlier this year, Rachel-Anne received funding from the BBC Small Indie Fund, which supports the growth of small independent production companies from across the UK. Pure Leo was one of seven Scottish businesses to receive the funding.

All recipients receive strategic investment and a BBC commissioning editor as a mentor to help them grow.

Pure Leo received development funding from BBC Scotland Comedy for a taster tape which was filmed entirely in Greenock. The team has produced a series of digital shorts for BBC Scotland's Short Stuff, one of which was broadcast on the BBC Scotland Channel and is available to watch on iPlayer.

Pure Leo is set for a busy 2025, as it has been commissioned for another series of Short Stuff, which is a series of digital comedy sketches for BBC Scotland and will also be producing two Comedy Short Film nights for BBC Comedy, that will be held in Glasgow.

Pure Leo has just taken on a comedy promoter on a flexible basis as the team is currently programming a venue for Glasgow International Comedy Festival and working on its programme for the Edinburgh Fringe. Rachel-Anne currently works with freelancers when she’s working on bigger commissions, but aims to one day have a team of staff.

Rachel-Anne received support from Business Gateway to apply for start-up funding which allowed her to put her business plan into action. Rachel-Anne received a £500 start-up business marketing grant from Inverclyde Council. With the help of Business Gateway, she also applied for a £5000 start up loan which helped her establish her first project.

Through Business Gateway advisers, Barbara Mennie and Mario Alonzi, Rachel-Anne was able to access a one-to-one session with a brand marketing executive, who advised on key aspects of the business and developed a marketing strategy that would help the business to grow.

This marketing support allowed Rachel-Anne to develop her brand identity for Pure Leo and to bring her own creative flair to the business.

Rachel-Anne Clarke, founder of Pure Leo said: "The first year of owning a business is tough, especially from a cashflow standpoint, and so having the support of Business Gateway in applying for loans was essential. They really took the time to learn not just about my business but about how the TV industry works, as it can be an unusual one."

“I want my business to bring joy to people and the marketing support from Business Gateway has helped widen my audience to spread that joy further.”

Mario Alonzi, Business Gateway adviser said: “Rachel-Anne has got a really solid business idea, and a unique one for Inverclyde, so to be able to support her has been great. It can be daunting starting a business, especially one that is usually based in a city, so we are glad to be able to support Rachel-Anne and be a helping hand to her.”