The Musicians

Phil Chalk, LTCL, MA (Dist)

Phil Chalk’s journey to becoming a leader in children’s animation is marked by an extraordinary blend of musical talent and technical engineering expertise. Chalk showed exceptional musical promise early on, playing the cornet, learning from the likes of Harold Robinson, Roy Garlick and Kevin Bolton, all former Fairey players.

He reached the semi-finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year at just 14, joining the Fairey Band in the same year, establishing himself as Assistant Principal Cornet with the band for much of the late 80’s and 90’s when the band spent a decade ranked number one in the world, achieving an historic triple of British Open, National and European Titles.

After an engineering apprenticeship with Fairey Engineering, Chalk transitioned into a successful career in technical sales and management roles, founding a nuclear and Special Purpose Machinery business, Lintran. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged as he diversified into the entertainment industry, providing sophisticated engineering solutions for the popular TV show Gladiators and the Millenium dome. However, it was the animation sector that ultimately captured his passion.

In 2001, Chalk’s idea for an animated show called Notezart led him to establish a place for himself in animation by helping Cosgrove Hall create a new digital division. His network expanded when he collaborated with Keith Chapman, creator of Bob the Builder and Paw Patrol, to produce Roary the Racing Car. Chalk acquired the production assets of Chapman Studios and the post-production company, Hullabaloo, to form Factory Studios.

This pivotal moment led to a significant partnership with the BBC on Strange Hill High, a show that not only achieved critical acclaim but also showcased Chalk’s innovative technique known as “hypervynorama.” Factory Transmedia, his Altrincham-based company, thrived under this project, rapidly expanding its portfolio to include other hits like Clangers and Scream Street, Newzoids, The Tiny Chef Show, Disney’s Club Penguin and Norman Picklestripes, working with global broadcasters and producers. He also worked as Executive Producer, adapting the Michael Morpurgo classic, Mimi and the Mountain Dragon for the BBC with the orcheststrral score composed by Oscar winner, Rachel Portman, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Phil and Factory have won many awards including: Bafta, Emmy, International Emmy, Annie, Golden Pulcinella, British Animation Award, Royal Television Society Awards, British Comedy Award and Broadcast Awards, for excellence in the animation field.

Running in parallel with his career as CEO and Executive Producer in Film and Television, Chalk has continued to pursue his musical development, studying for an MA in conducting and Performance under the guidance of Dave King at Salford University.

Phil has also worked with many of the finest brass bands including Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe Colliery and is proud to be MD of his alma mater, the KNDS Fairey Band. His unique background combines a creative vision with technical insight, positioning him as a trailblazer in the animation landscape, which adapts perfectly to the Fairey Band’s pursuit of pushing the ‘brass band’ boundaries.