​James Sorton joins hungryman UK as Managing Partner

hungryman has appointed James Sorton as Managing Partner of its UK office, effective July 1, 2026. The appointment marks a significant new chapter for one of the world's most celebrated production companies.

Sorton brings more than two decades of experience at the highest levels of commercial production, having built a reputation as one of the UK industry's most respected creative leaders, talent developers and producers of award-winning work. A 2024 Cannes Lions Craft Juror and Chair of the British Arrows’ Young Arrows in 2023, throughout his career he has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing some of the most exciting directing talent to emerge from the UK market.

Having begun his career on the reception desk of a production company and worked his way through every level of production, Sorton spent over a decade at Pulse Films as Managing Director and Executive Producer before co-founding Magna Studios. His career has been defined as much by the careers he has helped build as by the work itself.

After more than twenty years in the business, Sorton says he found himself reflecting on what he wanted from the next chapter of his career.

“What I realised was that so many of my values are reflected in my work,” says Sorton. “What I really love about my job is the people and the collaboration.”

Those values ultimately led him to hungryman.

“There is something so special about the people at hungryman," he says. "I loved everyone I met and talking to Bryan and Hank was so joyful, I knew immediately, these are my people.”

Founded by directors Bryan Buckley and Hank Perlman in 1997, hungryman has grown into one of the world's leading production companies, building a reputation for creative excellence, craft and long-standing talent relationships.

For Sorton, the company's director-led culture was a major part of the draw.

"One of the things that appealed to me so much about hungryman was that it is directorfounded,” says Sorton. “Bryan and Hank have created an environment that is wholly authentic and creative-focused. That intention was right there from the start, and it’s a really nurturing environment as a result.”

For Buckley and Perlman, the enthusiasm was mutual.

“Bringing James' talents onto our team not only elevates the entire company, it also dispels the abhorrent rumor that our management is run exclusively by dog people,” says Buckley.

What stood out equally to Sorton was the company's ability to maintain that creative-first culture while operating at the highest level of the industry.

"When I say creative-first, I don't mean small or niche," says Sorton. "This is a company trusted by the biggest agencies and brands in the world. It's about creativity and craft, but also production excellence."