Having forged a close personal and working relationship, it seemed natural for them to form their own company.  Thin Man Films – affectionately named for their respectively generous figures – was born.

With Simon at the helm, Thin Man produced the next eight of Mike’s feature films; Life is Sweet (1990), Naked (1993), Secrets & Lies (1996), Career Girls (1997), Topsy-Turvy (1999), All Or Nothing (2002), Vera Drake (2004) and Happy-Go-Lucky (2008).

In 2008, Thin Man put together its own our celebration of Mike’s work: the ten-disc DVD ‘Mike Leigh Box Set’, which comprises seven of the Thin Man features, plus Bleak Moments (1971), Meantime, (1984) High Hopes (1988) and the short film written by and starring Jim Broadbent, A Sense of History (1992).

In 2009, Georgina Lowe, Simon’s long-time co-producer, debuted as Producer on Another Year (2010).  A new partner for Mike in Thin Man Films, Georgina has since produced Mike’s forthcoming short film, A Running Jump (2011), commissioned as part of the London 2012 festival.

His first feature film was Bleak Moments (1971); this was followed by the full-length television films, Hard Labour (1973), Nuts in May (1975), The Kiss of Death (1976), Who’s Who (1978), Grown-Ups (1980), Home Sweet Home (1982), Meantime (1983), and Four Days In July (1984).

Other feature films are High Hopes (1988), Life Is Sweet (1990), Naked (1993) (Cannes: Best Director and Best Actor), Secrets and Lies (1996) (Cannes: Palme d’Or and Best Actress; 4 Oscar nominations), Career Girls (1997), Topsy-Turvy (1999) (two Oscar Awards, 5 nominations), All Or Nothing (2002), Vera Drake (2004) (Venice: Golden Lion & Best Actress; 6 BIFA’s, 3 BAFTA’s including Best Director, 3 Oscar nominations) Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) (one Oscar nomination) and Another Year (2010) (one Oscar nomination).

He has written and directed over twenty stage plays, including Babies Grow Old (1974), Abigail’s Party (1977), Ecstasy (1979), Goose-Pimples (1981), Smelling A Rat (1988) and – commissioned by the National Theatre - Two Thousand Years (2005) and, most-recently, Grief (2011).

Outside his relationship with Mike Leigh and Thin Man Films, Simon Channing Williams produced a number of other films, including Puccini for director Tony Palmer, When the Whales Came directed by Clive Rees, Jack and Sarah, directed by Tim Sullivan, which was an enormous hit at the UK box-office, as well as Nick Love’s debut feature Goodbye Charlie Bright.

In 2000 he formed the independent production company Potboiler Productions with Gail Egan. Together they produced seven feature films including an adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby directed by Douglas McGrath, the rock epic Brothers of the Head directed by Keith Fulton & Lou Pepe, the Oscar-winning The Constant Gardener directed by Fernando Meirelles, and were joint executive producers on Fernando Meirelles’ follow-up, Blindness.

After the filming of The Constant Gardener, Simon was instrumental in setting up The Constant Gardener Trust, which has built a secondary school in the desert town of Loiyangalani, some 600 km north of Nairobi. The Trust has also provided showers and lavatories in the Nairobi slum of Kibera as well as installing 10,000 litre water towers.  For further information on the continuing work of the Trust, and how your donation could help, please visit the website: www.constantgardenertrust.org.

In 2007, Simon was honoured to be made an elder of Loiyangalani and awarded one of Kenya’s highest accolades – the Order of the Grand Warrior – in recognition of his work with both The Constant Gardener film and The Constant Gardener Trust.

Despite a cancer diagnosis in 2004, Simon continued to work with his characteristic determination and good humour for the next five years.

In 2009, Simon’s health began to deteriorate and he very sadly passed away on 11th April.

 Another Year bears a dedication to Simon, who is missed by all those who knew him.  He was a consummate gentleman – generous, larger-than-life and infinitely charming.  Just as we all enjoyed the company of this extraordinary bon viveur when he was here, we have raised – and will continue to raise – very many glasses to his memory since.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/apr/15/obituary-simon-channing-williams

She then worked for the International Media Group Carlton Communications.  In 2000 she formed the independent production company Potboiler Productions  with Simon Channing Williams.

She has produced or executive produced thirteen films including Mike Leigh’s Another Year, Happy-Go-Lucky and Vera Drake; Fernando Meirelles’ The Constant Gardener and Blindness; Man About Dog with Paddy Breathnach and Brothers Of The Head with Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe.