Who We Are
History Makers is a film project dedicated to exploring the past through archaeology, historical research and documentary storytelling.
Working independently means we follow curiosity, not algorithms.
History is full of stories that are still unfolding — in archaeological excavations, archives and ongoing research. History Makers exists to explore those stories through film, working with archaeologists and historians to understand the past in greater depth.
After many years making documentaries for television, we wanted to create a different kind of project — one that could follow historical discoveries as they happen and spend more time exploring the questions behind them.
This approach allows us to explore history with patience and care, rather than fitting stories into predetermined formats. It also means we can build a stronger relationship with the audience who support our work.
Working independently means we follow curiosity, not algorithms.
History is full of stories that are still unfolding — in archaeological excavations, archives and ongoing research. History Makers exists to explore those stories through film, working with archaeologists and historians to understand the past in greater depth.
After many years making documentaries for television, we wanted to create a different kind of project — one that could follow historical discoveries as they happen and spend more time exploring the questions behind them.
This approach allows us to explore history with patience and care, rather than fitting stories into predetermined formats. It also means we can build a stronger relationship with the audience who support our work.
The Team
Sarah Jobling
Documentary Director & Founder
Sarah is a documentary filmmaker with over 20 years' experience and a longstanding interest in history and archaeology. She began her career at the BBC working on popular strands such as Meet the Ancestors and Timewatch.
She was part of the original creative team behind the BBC's archaeology series, Digging for Britain, later directing and/or series-producing three seasons of the show.
Sarah has made films across a wide range of historical subjects for British and international broadcasters, including BBC documentaries like The Crusades, presented by Dr Tom Asbridge, The Birth of Empire, presented by Dan Snow and The Real White Queen, presented by the author Philippa Gregory.
She founded History Makers to pursue historical stories independently and follow new discoveries as they emerge.
She was part of the original creative team behind the BBC's archaeology series, Digging for Britain, later directing and/or series-producing three seasons of the show.
Sarah has made films across a wide range of historical subjects for British and international broadcasters, including BBC documentaries like The Crusades, presented by Dr Tom Asbridge, The Birth of Empire, presented by Dan Snow and The Real White Queen, presented by the author Philippa Gregory.
She founded History Makers to pursue historical stories independently and follow new discoveries as they emerge.
Graham Cooper
Director & Founding Team Member
Graham has more than 30 years production experience, with a specialism in access-led history programming. He has filmed at historical sites all over Britain and in over 48 other countries, including some of the world’s toughest environments: the Arctic, the Amazon and the Deserts of Namibia and Iraq. He led the only team to have ever filmed the fabled ancient wonder, the Minaret of Jam, deep in the highlands of Afghanistan; he's filmed the discovery of lost Myan Pyramids, hidden in the Guatemalan Rain Forest and his series “The Iran-Iraq War: A Tragedy That Changed History” won the Association for International Broadcasting’s award for Best Historical Documentary. He produced and directed archaeology series “Digging For Britain” and “Curse of the Ancients” both presented by Prof Alice Roberts and ran the “History Hunter” strand of the “One Show”, presented by Dan Snow.
Graham's films span a wide range of eras and content, including historic farming and nineteenth century novelists, but he has a particular interest in military history, devising and producing three series of the BBC’s much emulated “SAS: Are You Tough Enough?” and historical documentaries including “Tank Heroes of WWII”, “Destination D-Day: The Raw Recruits” and BAFTA nominated “Regimental Stories” – amongst others.
Graham's films span a wide range of eras and content, including historic farming and nineteenth century novelists, but he has a particular interest in military history, devising and producing three series of the BBC’s much emulated “SAS: Are You Tough Enough?” and historical documentaries including “Tank Heroes of WWII”, “Destination D-Day: The Raw Recruits” and BAFTA nominated “Regimental Stories” – amongst others.
Saul David
Historical Consultant
Saul is a historian and broadcaster whose many critically acclaimed books include: Operation Thunderbolt, an Amazon History Book of the Year which was turned into the movie Entebbe; SBS: Silent Warriors, shortlisted for the Mountbatten Award and a Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller; and Devil Dogs, a Times and Daily Telegraph History Book of the Year. He co-hosts the Battleground podcast with Patrick Bishop.
Matthew Platts-Mills
Film Editor & Co-founder
Matt has worked in the film and TV industry for over twenty-five years, making everything from landmark documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic, and ITV to high-end scripted dramas for Amazon, Paramount, and Netflix, including series like The Alienist and The Gentlemen.
He has worked with eminent broadcasters like Simon Schama, David Reynolds, and Richard Dawkins and acclaimed filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Guy Ritchie. No matter what subject or format, Matt believes his job as a storyteller is to find the most compelling narrative.
"What excites me about History Makers is the ability to engage with the audience directly and bring them relevant historical stories at a level of depth that has been impossible until now".
He has worked with eminent broadcasters like Simon Schama, David Reynolds, and Richard Dawkins and acclaimed filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Guy Ritchie. No matter what subject or format, Matt believes his job as a storyteller is to find the most compelling narrative.
"What excites me about History Makers is the ability to engage with the audience directly and bring them relevant historical stories at a level of depth that has been impossible until now".
Mike Kelly
Chief Financial Officer
Mike trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse and worked as the Group Accountant for Thames Television PLC, F.D. of Majestic Films & TV, F.D. of British Screen Group, Head of Finance of the UK Film Council and V.P. Finance & Production E.M.E.A. & Asia for Warner Bros. before establishing Northern Alliance. In addition to his involvement in the financing, development, production or distribution of hundreds of titles ranging from Shifty to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Northern Alliance has provided business advice to clients as diverse as Aardman Animations, Film London, Octopus Investments and Royal and Derngate Theatres. He has acted as Head of/Director of Finance and Head of Production and Business Affairs on an interim or part time basis for clients and is an experienced ‘angel’ investor. A NESTA creative business mentor, he has also helped deliver industry development programmes across the UK and overseas, including as a visiting lecturer at Cass Business School.
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