Leadership
The Ink Factory Elevates Stephen and Simon Cornwell to Chairman Roles as Michelle Wolkoff Becomes President
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Stephen and Simon Cornwell took on chairman roles at The Ink Factory, with Simon succeeding Rod Henwood as executive chairman.
- Michelle Wolkoff was promoted from creative director to president and chief creative officer.
- Ian Spence became chief financial and operating officer, and Laura Burrows joined as production boss.
Stephen and Simon Cornwell have taken on chairman roles at The Ink Factory, the production company they founded in 2010, and Michelle Wolkoff has been promoted from creative director to president and chief creative officer. Deadline reported the appointments on October 27, 2026.
Inside the Ink Factory Leadership Changes
Simon Cornwell becomes executive chairman, succeeding Rod Henwood, who stays on the board as deputy chairman. Stephen Cornwell takes the role of creative co-chairman, supporting the company's slate and operations with a primary focus on The Legacy of Spies, which he showruns for the BBC and MGM+.
Ian Spence becomes chief financial and operating officer. Laura Burrows, formerly production chief at NBC Universal International Studios, joins as production boss ahead of a new season of The Night Manager on the BBC and Prime Video. Amy Basil re-signs as chief marketing officer for both The Ink Factory and the John le Carré Estate, and Lachlan MacKinnon arrives from Bad Wolf as executive producer across the slate. Sam Costin was promoted to creative producer after serving as co-executive producer on the first season of Legacy of Spies.
Simon and Stephen Cornwell said: "Over sixteen years and counting, we have been custodians of both our father's legacy through the adaptations The Ink Factory has made, as well as realising an array of work from the most compelling storytellers and filmmakers working today." Wolkoff called her new role a "unique privilege" at "such an important moment for Ink Factory."
The Ink Factory's Slate Behind the Appointments
According to akta.pro company records, The Ink Factory began production in April 2026 on Legacy of Spies, an eight-part BBC and MGM+ series starring Matthew Macfadyen as George Smiley, co-produced with Amusement Park Film and Paramount Television Studios. The company formed in 2010 and holds exclusive rights to John le Carré's 25-novel literary estate, producing television, film and gaming content for the BBC, Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, AMC, Apple TV+ and Youku. The Night Manager's first season was sold to more than 180 countries, and the company's series have been seen in 180 countries by more than 40 million viewers.
What Comes Next for The Legacy of Spies
Stephen Cornwell's creative co-chairman role carries a primary focus on The Legacy of Spies, the BBC and MGM+ series he showruns. A new season of The Night Manager is set to air on the BBC and Prime Video, with Burrows joining as production boss ahead of it.