2007

I am the founder and Chief Creative Officer of content agency Clearhead

At his core, Alex is a Creative, he has always loved the creative process, studying graphic design and art at college. After picking up a camera in his late teens, he found a passion for creating moving image. He gained experience in the industry with global media institutions such as the BBC and Channel 4 during his time studying at the University of Bedfordshire.

Alex left University and become one of the youngest TV Commercial directors at that time. Working in TV and film Alex realised the traditional career ladder wasn’t the path that was right for him. In response, Alex ventured to establish and build the independent content creation agency Clearhead, which formed in the spring of in 2007. Clearhead has gone onto become a respected award winning content agency with international presence and reputation. Retaining it’s roots in Luton and solidifying it’s studio in the heart of the Luton’s Hat District as pioneering tenants of Hat House. Experience across multiple industries has generated a diverse brand roster such as: RAF, Houses of Parliament, Nuffield Health, Guinness, TUI, Cadbury, Sony, BBC, Saatchi & Saatchi.

Winning internationally recognised awards for his work as Director and cinematographer across a breadth of commercial and short films including the recent University of Bedfordshire case study film “Bethany’s Story”, Alex is passionate about creative direction and innovative storytelling keeping his pulse on current trends and technologies to ensure that he is offering innovative and current solutions to his clients needs.

Alex doesn't intend to talk the talk unless he can walk the walk. Discovering his weaknesses and turning them into his strengths. Alex works with major brands and clients to produce creative content that reaches their audiences but is also passionate about short form storytelling. Having worked on and led creative of multiple features and short films both locally and internationally. Many of which have gone on to achieve great global recognition. The projects Alex selects generally follow an endeavour to promote the representation of minority groups and their challenges. Projects such as the short film Chains for the NFL UK. A grass roots story of a young man overcoming extreme adversity to achieve notoraity within sports coaching. This film was picked up by the NFL and is used to promote grass roots sport and it’s benefits across the UK.

Alex is not just a creative and entrepreneur who focuses on the big idea, the aesthetics and the creative quality - Alex also strategises, creates and implements processes, manages teams and mentors. Having built creative departments from scratch and grown them to develop and improve both the creative output and quality of what his teams create. Employing, mentoring and training tens if not hundreds of University of Bedfordshire alumni over the last 13 years. Encouraging, advising and supporting young creatives as they enter the TV and Film industry has been a core passion and service of Alex’s. Building on this passion Alex became the first representative of the digital content world to be asked to join the panel of the established Royal Television Society committee. Working with fellow industry representatives to organise and host national industry panel discussions, career fairs and in general advising, encouraging and supporting young people and graduates to take their firsts steps into the industry. In the future Alex hopes to continue to grow, represent and promote creativity and the opportunities the creative industry can provide young people from all diversities. Continuing to encourage, inspire and support those that need hope in order to reach their dreams. Being a beacon of what can be achieved through humble actions and communicating the context of where it can all start.

My course provided every opportunity that I needed to take control of my life and achieve my dreams. Not only where the facilities and access to equipment fantastic and allowed pragmatic enablement of creating films. The encouragement and empowerment by the supportive staff challenged you to learn your tradecraft and improve year on year. From the academic to the practical I was given the tools to create. The flexibly allowed me to enter the industry whilst studying to experience the real world which led to my decision of starting my own company rather than work for another. The access to edit suite, TV studios and media rooms outside of my core hours meant that I was not limited or restricted to do what I needed but the opposite. I had no excuses, only myself as a barrier to be able to work hard, learn, practice and become prepared for what the world and the creative industry had to offer me.

The support from the University as a whole was nothing less that positive and kind and respectful. At all times I felt support and encouraged. Our lecturers were knowledgeable and empowering, technical support staff where always on hand a I was able to develop strong friendships with them during my three years at the University. Having returned many times since graduating to visit and catch up with them. They are always thankful and proud to see alumni they supported go onto achieve and succeed in the creative industry.

Catalyst

My favourite memory of University was the freedom I felt when on campus. I never really felt like a "student". More that we were there together to create and have fun doing so. It really helped to have a dynamic like that that create bonds and strong collaboration between students and faculty rather than a parent/child dynamic. It is really something that has stood out as a memory for me over the last 13 years.

For prospective or current students, my words of wisdom would be to not consider University as an enabling process to achieve anything. You need to think of University as an opportunity to empower your passions. To discover what interests you, what make you curious and what gives you joy and work with the University and it's team to discover the right options and pathway for you. Take advantage of every extra-curricular opportunity they provide to try and test new things and be brave. Now is the time to craft who you want to become for the rest of your life.