Strategic Commercial Advice in the Creative Sector

Grey Seal Media is a specialist advisory company that provides a bridge between the global film, television and music community and the wider corporate and financial world.

We work with producers, distributors, financiers and individual talent to navigate the evolving media landscape, grow their businesses and build successful brands. We forge partnerships, make deals, conclude agreements, manage business operations and help to progress projects to screen.

Our aim is simple: to use our combined knowledge for the benefit of people whose calls we really want to return.

OUR SERVICES

Business Affairs and Commercial Advice

We have more than 20 years combined experience as lawyers and business affairs advisors in the media sector - and with Luke’s arrival we now offer a wide range of advice and support in the music industry.

Broader Services from our Network

When combined, we are greater than the sum of our parts. We work seamlessly together and often draw on a trusted network of other professionals to provide bespoke results-orientated services.

Team

Clare Hardwick

Founder

Over the last 15 years, Clare has undertaken various roles in complimentary segments of the film and television industry to give her an unusually comprehensive understanding of the media landscape.

Clare’s expertise spans production business affairs, joint ventures, media sector acquisitions, film financing and managing credit facilities. Her diverse client list includes large US production studios through to individual executives and talent.

She also serves as a trustee for ground breaking educational charity, Think Equal, and a mentor for the Creative Mentor Network.

Previous roles include:

Counsel at Latham & Watkins in the Entertainment Sports and Media team
Commercial Director at Caryn Mandabach Productions, producer of Peaky Blinders
Business affairs at Carnival Films, part of NBC Universal
Legal and business affairs at Film Finances, completion guarantor

Contact: clare@greysealmedia.com

Luke Hill

Music Film TV Digital Media

Luke provides essential commercial advice to companies and individual creatives; both established and emerging. Working across all aspects of his clients’ businesses, Luke is equally at home advising a recording artist on their first record deal, or, a production company on a commission or strategic investment. 

Luke’s pharmacology degree initially led him to patent litigation and then entertainment work developed organically as friends and former colleagues (from a music production company) asked for his advice in relation to their creative exploits.  The result is a passionate, diverse client base spanning multiple disciplines.

As his practice developed, Luke joined the partnership at a leading West-End law firm before joining Grey Seal in July 2021. Luke’s presence broadens Grey Seal’s offering into music and podcasting, as well spearheading new approaches to business affairs for high-growth companies. 

BAFTA breakthrough producers, writers, authors, filmmakers, podcasters, GRAMMY winning musicians, mountaineers as well as TV and film production companies, talent agencies and record labels all rely on Luke for his approachable, pragmatic insight and willingness to roll up his sleeves and work through challenges together.

Previous roles include: