Monte Video

Address: South Ferriby, North Lincolnshire.
Nature of Business: Video production and training company
Partners: Damien Beedham, Patrick Lefrere, Tom Urry.
Telephone: (01652) 634902
Website:Monte Video

Background

Montevideo grew from the passions of three partners, Damien Beedham, Patrick Lefrere and Tom Urry, who each have a background in video production at degree and post-graduate level.

The trio produced a music TV programme for North East Lincolnshire based TV company Channel 7, entitled Fast Slug, and it proved so successful that they realised that there was a skills gap in video production training in the region.

They set up Montevideo just a few months ago, in 2004. As a new social enterprise it relies upon funding, but has also launched a commercial arm as a video production company, which is already beginning to contribute to the funds.

‘The commercial side of the business is beginning to take off and we are developing a niche market in sports video analysis,” explained Damien.

Support and Advice

Montevideo was put forward by Social Enterprise Humber, part of Business Link Humber, for the DEFRA-funded Building on Success project, which offered 30 grants to social enterprise organisations to increase access to business advice in rural areas across North Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The organisations who took part were offered either £750 or £1,000 grants to enable them to implement action plans identified by a professional business advisor.

The project was delivered by Business Link Humber and its partners, Goole Development Trust, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Community Economic Regeneration Team (CERT), with the support of the Rura Forum. “We have used the grant in a variety of ways to further the company,” said Damien.

“Some it has been used to provide more training for the three of us, and a large proportion has gone into marketing Montevideo to a wider audience. We have also invested some of the money in new training schemes which will be launching in the new financial year after April.”

Future Plans

“We have big plans for the future of Montevideo, primarily to develop a more sustainable training arm. We are working with Immage Studios and Channel7 to produce a 10-week course, which offers qualifications, and is aimed at people in the North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby) area.

“Commercially we are currently working with Sheffield United football club on a sports video analysis project, having already been involved with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, and we are looking forward to developing more projects like this in the future.

“There are only the three of us at the moment but we are lucky to have a bank of cameramen and media people in the region to draw from if we need them.”