Piers Read, structured and brokered the acquisition of Twickenham Film Studios through a £23 million sale-and-leaseback of the freehold to the British Airways Pension Fund. The transaction completed in February 2020, immediately prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Managing Partner of the newly formed studio joint venture and conduit to the investment fund, TIME + SPACE assumed operational responsibility at a moment of unprecedented disruption. The business continued to trade through lockdown, maintaining both studio operations and its world-renowned sound post-production facilities during a period of extreme uncertainty.

Notably, Twickenham’s sound mixing theatres remained active during the earliest phase of government restrictions, supporting the completion of Paramount Studios’ Top Gun: Maverick, with Tom Cruise working on-site during lockdown—an exceptional moment for the global film industry.

Alongside operations, TIME + SPACE acted as Development Manager to secure planning consent for the sensitive enhancement and expansion of the studio’s real estate in St Margarets, achieved in 2021.

In parallel, we led a comprehensive rebranding programme, repositioning the studio in line with its heritage—established in 1914—while broadening its commercial offer.

This included expanding beyond core studio and post-production services into workspace, hospitality, and picture post, enabling the business to adapt and stabilise following the immediate impact of COVID-related interruption.

Having successfully navigated the studio through a period of significant operational and market challenge, TIME + SPACE transferred its interest back to the original owner in summer 2022.