Please also see Peter Saunders and the Joint Interview.
Ian Mackinnon is a Creative Director / Executive Producer and co-founder of Mackinnon & Saunders Ltd; Creations seen worldwide. Ian is an old boy of Penketh High School in Warrington, which has since recognised his professional success by naming a House after him. Early employment found Ian discovering and developing his puppet-making skills for legendary Thunderbirds creator, Gerry Anderson.
In the late 1980s he met his future business partner, Peter Saunders, at Cosgrove Hall Productions, where they jointly pioneered new puppet-making techniques.
Away from work, Ian is proud to be a patron of St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington.
The Honorary Award is in recognition of Ian’s role in establishing one of the world’s leading puppet-making companies. More broadly it acknowledges his skill in bringing to life some of the best known animated and stop-motion characters. It further recognises his part in setting ambitious standards within the British animation industry. Finally, it celebrates his personal interest in the work of our stop-motion students and the provision of industry based support.