Moments: How Jake Richardson CA went from Adelaide to global media
This Blue Ant Media finance man has journeyed to London, Sydney and Canada – with a few celebrity spottings on the way.
In Brief
- Jake Richardson CA grew up as the middle child of eight siblings in a blended family in Adelaide.
- During a traditional Antipodean stint in London, he landed a job at BBC Studios.
- He joined Blue Ant Media in Sydney and was promoted to a global position based in Canada.
By Jake Richardson CA
The early years
I was born in Adelaide in 1989. Sadly, my mother passed away in a car accident when I was still in primary school. My father remarried a few years later, making me the fourth child in eight siblings. With eight kids growing up together, there are many fond memories.
2002–2006
I found my passion for business at Brighton Secondary School, participating with relish in Australian Business Week during Year 10 and the Young Achievement Australia Business Skills Program in Year 12.
2009–2015
I began accountancy at Tilbrook Rasheed in Adelaide, which specialises in tax and business advisory. That allowed me to work full time while completing my Bachelor of Commerce at the University of South Australia and to then obtain my CA designation.
2016–2017
As many Australian CAs do, I packed up with my girlfriend (now wife) Tayla and moved to London. After four months as an analyst at the Harrods department store, I secured a finance manager position at BBC Studios. It was a privilege to share the halls with some of my favourite TV stars. One day I was embarrassingly starstruck by Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi.
2018–2019
In early 2018, we moved back to Australia and married at Paxton Wines in McLaren Vale. Paxton Wines was the very first client file I’d worked on back in 2009, so it had extra meaning tying the knot there almost 10 years later. We then shifted to Sydney, where I landed a financial controller position with Blue Ant Media, overseeing Northern Pictures and Australian Geographic. A highlight was attending the 2018 Australian Geographic Awards Gala with guests of honour Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I have never seen so much security and rubbernecking.
2020–2021
I was promoted to be Blue Ant Media’s vice-president, finance, Global Production & Corporate Finance, based in Toronto, Canada. I oversee the financial operations of our television production businesses around the world as well as corporate development activities. In 18 months, we’ve completed several corporate transactions that strengthen Blue Ant’s operations. We’re in a prime position as the world emerges from COVID. But it’s been busy! I’m studying for an Executive MBA with AGSM @ UNSW Business School, and my wife and I had our first child in April 2021.
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