The expansion of the Magic Light Licensing team reflects increased activity across licensed consumer products, brand partnerships and live experiences.

Aidan Taylor-Gooby

Multi BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated production company Magic Light Pictures, home to beloved brands including The Gruffalo and Pip and Posy, has announced a series of promotions and new hires for its Licensing department. The expansion of the Licensing team reflects the company’s surging commercial activity across licensed consumer products, brand partnerships and live experiences globally and will maximise opportunities for further growth.

Aidan Taylor-Gooby has been promoted to Licensing director from head of Licensing – a role he took on in 2022. Among his many achievements in this time is delivering the launch of the Pip and Posy licensing programme with Bandai’s plush and figurines now at retail, alongside nine other licencees. Aidan, who joined Magic Light in July 2017, has also been expanding The Gruffalo and Friends licensing activity in the UK and internationally, including launching new apparel ranges with Jojo Maman Bébé and ASDA as well as a major hand soap partnership with Carex.

Bridie Gibbs has been promoted to senior Product Development manager, leading creative development for all licensing activity in the UK across Gruffalo and Friends and Pip and Posy. Bridie has been with Magic Light for six years and is supported by Hannah McKevitt, Product Development executive, who joined a couple of years ago, and Ella Richardson, Product Development assistant, a new recruit last autumn who is a UAL Future 50 Founder.

Jade Ferguson joined Magic Light just over a year ago as UK Licensing manager and has grown the role from a focus on soft-lines to covering all categories in the UK, particularly with gift and toy licensees.  She is now supported by Magic Light’s newest team member, Dylan Tuley, who joined this spring as Licensing assistant and whose previous experience includes a stint at the Tate group.

Martin Pope and Michael Rose, joint managing directors at Magic Light, said: “Aidan has done a brilliant job growing our licensing business and leading the department, and his well-deserved promotion reflects this success. Bridie and Jade also bring huge expertise to their respective areas, combining creative understanding with entrepreneurial zeal, and they’ll be ably supported by Hannah and our newer team members, Ella and Dylan.”