Hot Shots 2026: Sam Webster

According to Sohail Shah, Sam Webster is one of a kind. “I’ve never before worked with a production manager who also shoots second camera when needed or can design the swankiest of programme decks for a pitch,” says the King of Sunshine Productions managing director.

Sam is, he says “a bit of a unicorn” among production managers, capable of moving seamlessly between location-based shows to studio shoots to development, all while giving his utmost to each and every product.

Having previously worked with Whisper North and Salamanda Media, Sam has spent more than three years with Shah’s indie, stepping up from production co-ordinator to junior production manager and now production manager.

His career highlights include 2025 doc Nordic Train at Christmas, which was filmed in Norway, edited in the UK and delivered to Channel 4 in the space of five weeks, becoming the channel’s highest-rated show of the festive season.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without Sam’s ability to keep things on track, both on location and back in the edit,” notes Shah, who’s brought Sam back on board for a yet-to-be-revealed follow-up film for this Christmas.

Shah notes Sam’s ability to care equally for a show’s budget, schedule and content: “As someone with a technical mind, Sam always has one eye on what is needed to make the show look and feel the best, whilst simultaneously thinking about how that can be achieved with the money and resources available. His way of allocating what he thinks is right, is also what’s best for the show, and the people making it.”

Nor does Sam let his dyslexia hold him back. “He has actively developed ways to combat any problems that his word difference may cause and as a consequence, he shines in so many other ways,” says Shah.

“Sam’s way of dealing with most things is admirable and it is a pleasure to have him on anything we make. He really does make any team and programme better.”