Producer

Jess Symons is an award-winning producer of high-quality content for kids and young audiences.

Born and brought up in the West Midlands, Jess is a proud ‘Create Central Champion’ with a passion to support growth, talent and innovation in the region. Jess began her career in television in the Midlands - at The Politics Show West Midlands and BBC News Midlands Today.

Jess set up independent production company Ivy House Productions in 2016 and has made children’s programmes for CBeebies, CITV, Channel 5 Milkshake! and CBBC.

Jess recently developed and produced the brand-new programme IRL with TEAM CHARLENE for ITV and CITV - which won the 2021 Royal Television Society Award for best Children’s Programme.

The former Head of Children's at Channel 5, Jess was responsible for the channel's acclaimed Milkshake! preschool strand. During her 10 years at the channel she developed, commissioned and acquired hundreds of hours of children's programmes, as well as producing, writing and directing many in-house shows.

While at Channel 5, Jess also worked across the broadcaster’s youth strands - managing 'Shake!' and then later the action themed weekend block. Prior to Children’s Programming, Jess worked in several other programming departments at the channel including News and Current Affairs, Film Acquisitions, Science, History, Religion, Comedy and Sports.

Committed to supporting and developing talent both on and off screen, Jess has worked in education teaching TV production and performance at the University of Bedforshire, Ravensbourne University and Falmouth University as well as teaching drama with Birmingham LEA University of the First Age at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Birmingham Symphony Hall.