Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is divesting its 30% shareholding in The Whisper Group. Whisper will return to private ownership, using external finance to deliver a bold and ambitious strategy, create an employee equity scheme, and allow the management team – led by CEO and founder Sunil Patel – to drive new growth and market expansion.
SPT sells its 30% stake in Whisper having helped establish it as one of the foremost multi-genre production businesses in the industry, which has seen exponential growth across revenue, profits, and value, and is leaving with a significant return on their original investment.
Whisper will continue to work with SPT through strategic partnerships to help deliver great entertainment products including Wheel of Fortune, as well as a range of sports and media projects.
This development represents the latest phase in Whisper’s 15-year growth story. Founded in 2010 by Patel, Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard, before Channel 4’s Growth Fund helped accelerate sport and branded content growth in 2015. SPT came on board in 2020 as Channel 4 exited after realising a significant return. With SPT, Whisper’s revenue grew from c. £20m to c. £100m and the company established Whisper North and Whisper Cymru to help drive its multi-genre vision and international market expansion.
Whisper has spent the last year analysing the market and making the structural changes required for the business to best take advantage of the burgeoning and rapidly evolving sports, media and entertainment market. In consultation with all shareholders, a return to private ownership – allied to an ambitious growth plan – will position Whisper as one of the most entrepreneurial, disruptive and innovative leaders in the sector.
Sunil Patel, Whisper CEO and founder, said: “Five years ago, Whisper set off on a journey to become a multi-genre production company. That has been absolutely delivered – creatively, commercially and culturally – with revenue up nearly 500%.
“It would not have been possible without our bold vision and partnership with Sony, which helped elevate Whisper to a truly global force, so huge thanks to Wayne and the wider Sony team.
“It was that collaboration, alongside our valued partners, that has helped us create a scalable business telling ambitious stories that entertain and impact the world. All delivered by our industry-leading team.
“The next chapter of Whisper’s story is already underway, and that will continue to place our people at the heart by ensuring they share in future growth alongside shareholders. The platform is set, as is the team. Now it’s time to go make it happen once again.”
Wayne Garvie, president, international production, Sony Pictures Television, added: “Dynamic, collaborative, innovative, over the last decade, Whisper has become one of the leading global production companies in their field. We have had a brilliant partnership for five years, from Wheel of Fortune to Wimbledon, so many great moments and I’m sure that the many parts of the wider Sony family will continue to find ways of working with The Whisper Group, as we will in International production.
“For now, it’s good luck to Sunil and the team as they take this next step on their marvellous journey.”
