Team - Orchard Studios

Dan Grabiner

Chief Executive Officer

Dan is a creative executive with unique experience launching bold, large-scale hits for both linear and SVOD television. Prior to creating Orchard Studios in 2023, he was the Head of Amazon Studios, UK & Northern Europe, responsible for global documentary and entertainment series such as 007: Road to a Million, The Grand Tour, the All or Nothing sports documentary franchise and Clarkson's Farm.

Prior to Amazon, his credits as a creator/producer include Interview with a Murderer, Inside the Cockpit and Michael Palin in North Korea. Outside of programme-making, Dan is a passionate advocate for access and training in the creative industries, founding apprenticeship schemes at Amazon and ITN, and creating the £10million Prime Video Pathway skills initiative.

Nicola Hill

Managing Director

Nicola oversees Orchard's day-to-day operations, including production management, legal and business affairs. Having started out in scripted production, Nicola was converted to the world of factual programming and helped build the Garden Productions into an unscripted powerhouse during her decade-long tenure as Director of Production, MD and co-CEO.

During this time, she oversaw the company's expansion and ground-breaking productions such as 24 Hours in Police Custody, Real PD, 24 Hours in A&E and Squid Game: The Challenge.

Nat Lippiett

Head of Programmes

Nat is responsible for overseeing and delivering Orchard’s slate of programmes, as well as creating and Executive Producing key projects. With a background in journalism and programme-making in both the UK and US, Nat has wide-ranging experience as a Director and Executive Producer of major documentaries and popular factual television. Previously he steered ITN’s move into premium TV, with award-winning series and films for all the major networks and streamers.

A specialist in building creative relationships, Nat has worked with Buckingham Palace and the Court of Appeal, filmed with Prince Harry and Angelina Jolie, secured and managed access to hospital wards, high-profile weddings and active war zones. Recent credits include the explosive Harry: The Interview, award-winning Prime Video documentary series The Confession and the landmark The Queen’s Green Planet, starring Sir David Attenborough and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Dani Carpanen

Senior Producer

Dani is Orchard’s Senior Producer, working across a range of projects in both production and development. An established unscripted Series Producer and Director, Dani cut her teeth on hit UK factual formats such as The Baby Borrowers, The Restaurant, The Call Centre and Hospital.

In recent years, she has moved into large-scale global unscripted, working on titles such as Disney+’s Save Our Squad with David Beckham and Nat Geo’s One Day in America.

Clare Mottershead

Head of Factual & Formats

Clare oversees Orchard’s factual and formats slate, leading projects in development and production, and Executive Producing key titles. Before joining Orchard, she was the BBC’s Lead Commissioner in the Factual-Entertainment and Events team where she oversaw more than 30 titles including Interior Design Masters, The Speedshop and Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job. She also ran juggernaut heritage brands including The Antiques Roadshow and Countryfile. Before joining the BBC in 2017 she was an Executive Producer across development and production at Dragonfly where her credits included Kill It, Cook It, Eat It, One Born Every Minute and The Human Power Station.

Domenique Fragale

Executive Assistant

Domenique is Orchard’s Executive Assistant, supporting the team across the board and running the dynamic King’s Cross office. She joined Orchard in 2024 having been an EA at Sony Pictures Entertainment where she worked in the unscripted formats team, and prior to that, DBK Studios where she served as Creative Coordinator.

She is a BAFTA Connect member, an MQ Mental Health advocate, and was awarded the Diana Award Against Bullying for her anti-bullying campaigning.

Jordan Davis-Smith

Financial Controller

Jordan is Orchard’s Financial Controller, overseeing the company’s day-to-day finances and accounting function. She joined Orchard in 2024 following a 10+ year career in finance roles at a variety of media companies.

Prior to joining Orchard, Jordan oversaw production accounts teams in the UK, Singapore and LA at global children’s media company Moonbug Entertainment, and before this held a range of finance management and production accountancy roles at production companies such as Tin Roof Media and the Garden.

Lorianne Ho

Prime Video Pathway NFTS Trainee

Lorianne is Orchard’s craftsperson-in-training as part of Prime Video’s partnership with the National Film & Television School. She works across a range of projects at Orchard, collaborating with the creative and production management teams, with a particular interest in factual-entertainment.

Having started her career in the theatre, her experience ranges from digital art and animation to graphic design and photography. Before joining Orchard and the Prime Video Craft Academy, she worked in the partnership and marketing teams at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Meet the team