CREATIVE
Talent – Chloë Clover says Wander Films owes much of its stunning success to the people of Teesside .
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON
Wander Struck !
Wander Films co-founder and CEO Chloë Clover is quite the old hand when it comes to winning awards , but a recent honour left even the rebel of the North-East film world lost for words …
She made the Forbes “ 30 Under 30 ” list and was crowned Tees Businesswoman of the Year in 2021 .
And now Chloë Clover has another major trophy to add to her growing collection , having won the Emerging Talent title at the Entrepreneur ’ s Forum North East Entrepreneurial Awards in Newcastle on November 7 .
The title is given to an individual who is building a business of outstanding potential that ’ s been trading for six years or less .
It ’ s a huge and hotly contested award , and one which Chloë – known to all as Clover – thought she had no chance of winning against her shortlisted competitors Kimberley Cattin , CEO of West Barn Co , and Richard Shell of the Doxford Group . In fact , so unprepared was she that when the time came to take centre stage , all Clover could do was quote that famous philosopher Kanye West !
“ Oh , my days !” laughs Clover . “ I honestly thought I had no chance , so I didn ’ t write a speech . All I had in my head was what Kanye West said at the 2005 Grammys : ‘ To all of those who wondered what I ’ d do if I didn ’ t win . Well , I guess you will never know !’
“ I thought it was funny to repeat it at the time , although I ’ m proper kicking myself now . If that had been Lou ( Clover ’ s fiancée ), she would have thanked all the people she should have – as I should have – but I just lost the plot !”
At pains to stress that she never takes any award lightly , Clover views her role as Wander ’ s figurehead as important for herself , her business , life partner Lou Tonner , her team – and also the Tees region .
“ Wander Films wouldn ’ t be where it is without the incredible talent we have in the area , and I wouldn ’ t be here without Lou .
“ We are like one person , and it just so happens that I ’ m the half of the person who does the award thing , while Lou is the queen of detail and is incredible with tech . It ’ s a team effort .”
This particular award holds a special appeal for Team Wander because it ’ s about other entrepreneurs keeping an eye on those who are making waves – and it was an award not easily won .
“ The entries were full of proper , inspirational people who are reflective of the whole north and not just of Teesside , and that feels really cool ,” explains Clover .
“ The talent that ’ s won in previous years , people like Bill Scott , who was Mentor of the Year last year , is just nuts .”
Shortlisted during the summer , the criteria for even entering the category had been particularly rigorous .
Entrepreneurs had to show their business was turning over at least £ 250,000 , while a judging panel of Umi chief executive Nicki Clark and Amar Mirza CBE , among others , conducted probing interviews , looked into profit and turnover and asked questions about the company ’ s ambitions and vision .
The win , coming just four years after Wander ’ s inception , may make it appear that everything the company touches turns to gold , but the driving force is not personal gain – it ’ s the glory of Teesside .
“ We want our region to be recognised as a major player ,” says Clover . “ Sometimes in the North-East , Teesside feels like the younger , scrappier sister . Anything that can push Teesside as an entity is worth fighting for .”
As for the future , Wander Films never stands still . It has some large household names as clients , is in development with the BBC and plans some big “ hires ” in the next six to 12 months . This doesn ’ t , however , mean a change of location .
“ Yes , we will continue to push outside the region , but this is our home , our heart is here – and there ’ s no getting rid of us !”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 151