MonRae Mail #4: A chat with Karl Warner
Welcome back! It's the start of the summer term, which can only mean sweaty backs, shoes that blister and, this month, a tiny glimpse into the mad chaos of Karl Warner's brilliantly creative mind.
Summer Term Sillies
The week back after the May half term will always be carved into my psyche as the start of summer proper, however old I get. The nights longer, the ice creams more regular, everyone a bit tired and tipping into madness. Summer term, although it also meant exams, mainly meant sports days and knackered teachers putting on films like Ben-Hur. (Lepers have been less of a daily feature in my day to day life, than this film led me to believe.)
Having young kids in school really roots you back into your own childhood routines and Karl Warner, a man I am lucky to know very well, makes this abundantly clear below. Who doesn’t want to start off their day with a 5 year old sitting on their head, eh? Really humbling.
He has over 15 years of senior leadership roles: the BBC’s youngest ever commissioning editor; Channel Controller at E4; Founder of his own production company backed by Sony; Head of Youth and Digital at Channel 4 to finally, now- surely the longest of all his titles: Executive Vice President of BBC UK Entertainment and Digital Development.
Enjoy, Elspeth x
MY WAKE-UP CALL…
Usually either my 5 year old son Rudy or my Cat, Princess Mimi III. Both of them take it in turns to sit on my head.
MY HQ AND WHAT GOES ON THERE…
BBC Studios based at Television Centre. People stand outside meeting rooms waiting passively aggressively for meetings to end so that they can take their place.
MY ORIGIN STORY…
I was born in Hastings but moved to Hackney when I was 2 years old where we had to squat whilst my mum looked for work. She eventually found a job working as an electrician on a building site (a job she blagged her way into) and then took herself back to college to study electrical engineering, becoming a lecturer several years later. She was a massive inspiration to me despite the fact I still struggle to re-wire a plug.
MY DAILY GRIND…
Richard who lives opposite me. He seems to like putting every single piece of unwanted furniture into his front garden. New items appear every day: Fridges. Sofas. Mattresses. Please help yourself if your home needs furnishing.
MY PINNACLE MOMENT…
My first runners job just after I graduated. I was in Kavos for 12 weeks, working on a show called Bar Wars where I mostly walked around with my top off, giving out free drinks. I obviously peaked too soon; it’s been downhill since then.
MY GREATEST JOY…
Wrestling Rudy.
MY WIND-DOWN…
Wrestling Rudy.
MY ALTERNATE REALITY…
Working in a fairground on the Waltzers.
Things us and our talent have our eye on…
Searching for Fountains Collection by Adrien Raza
Skim-boarder extraordinaire Adrien Raza has launched his first merch collection. Buy it here now and be by far the coolest person in any room you walk into.Logitech Headset G522
Our resident mermaid, Yammy is a big fan of the comfort of Logitech’s new headset, but we all know that really it’s the rainbow of colours you can set it to shine out of your ears, that she really loves.GymShark Leggings
Nicole Vignola’s first retreat was a huge success. Massive thanks, as always, to GymShark who kindly gifted everyone there their own leggings to make it extra special.Elizabeth Scarlett x Nobody’s Child
We love Elizabeth Scarlett’s gorgeous new collab with Nobody’s Child. The bag is delicious and Elizabeth Scarlett’s stand at Chelsea Flower Show won an award!SAMA SAMA Beer
Julie Lin collaborated with Glasgow based brewery Drygate on a bespoke beer to tie in with the launch of her cookbook SAMA SAMA. Inspired by her South Asian roots, the Tamarind Berliner Weisse with Lemongrass & Lime Leaf notes was a flavour sensation! On sale now via Drygates website.BBC Last Pundit Standing
We are so proud of 5ive Guys member Oscar Browning for making it onto the BBC’s new sports pundit show Last Pundit Standing. A hilarious and talented presenter, we can’t wait to watch!
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All the love,
Elspeth & Bronagh x
Co-founders of MonRae