ABOUT US
Critical Productions is a small media production team combining documentary, podcast and digital storytelling expertise with deep knowledge of raw materials, earth science and sustainability.
Where possible, we work with videographers and specialists local to each filming location to help create authentic, accurate stories about people, planet and the materials that shape modern life.
Why our expertise matters
Raw materials stories are complex. They involve science, sustainability, communities, policy, industry, technology and the environment. Critical Productions brings together media professionals and subject-matter experts to communicate those stories clearly, accurately and responsibly.
Sarah Gordon
Founder & Presenter (Prof, PhD)
Sarah is an award winning documentary presenter and communicator. Highly regarded and involved across the full breadth of the raw materials ecosystem, from industry to academia, policy to civil society, Sarah is passionate in supporting the step change required to make the Just Transition a reality. A geologist by training, Sarah also has honed and continues to develop her broader skills in risk management and sustainability.
Sarah is also CEO of Satarla; Co-founder of Responsible Raw Materials; and sits on a number of Boards across the sector.
Jeff Townsend
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Jeff is a well respected facilitator and public affairs strategist who grew up on mines around the world. His ability to navigate both political and mining sectors led him to found the Critical Minerals Association in the UK, but also establishing CMAs in Australia and the USA. He also founded the Critical Minerals International Alliance that engages with global bodies such as the UN, WEF, World Bank, and MSP.
He is also Director of Rock Art Consulting, a bespoke external affairs consultancy for the mining industry. He has sat on numerous Government Advisory groups and currently is the Chairman of the Advisory Group to the UK’s Climates Programme.
Helen Bargmann
Producer
Helen has worked in the film & television industry for the last 5 years, and before joining Critical Productions as an producer. With experience on documentaries such as Plastic Warriors and a strong interest in sustainability, Helen believes storytelling is an important tool in the fight for a sustainable planet by reaching wider audiences and creating long-term impact.
Jocelyn Barker
Production Manager
Jocelyn is a Production Manager and sustainability consultant with a background in earth sciences, including a BSc and MSc from the University of Oxford. She believes that understanding raw materials is only the beginning, and that important ideas create change only when they are communicated clearly and in a way that resonates.
With experience across performance and research, Jocelyn is passionate about unearthing the real stories behind raw materials and turning them into compelling content for wide audiences.
Lorna Jones
Finance Manager
Drawing from a career in emergency nursing, Lorna now uses her keen eye for detail and precision as the Finance Manager for Critical Productions. Lorna transitioned back to her first love of numbers and retrained in accounting in 2017, building on her passion for budget management and alignment, bringing a strength of calm and stability to the exciting world of video production.
Alex Fuentes
Web Developer
With a background in geology, geospatial science, cartographic design and app development, Alex supports the Critical Productions digital presence. His work helps turn complex raw materials, mapping and technical information into clear, accessible online experiences across the website and digital platforms.
Matthew Grimshaw
Geologist & Presenter (PhD)
Matthew is a chartered geologist with a decade of international experience across academia, mineral exploration and consulting. He has worked on projects across Africa, the Middle East and North America, partnering with junior explorers, government surveys and major companies.
At Critical Productions, Matthew applies his expertise as a presenter and subject-matter expert to communicate complex geological topics clearly, with a focus on the role of responsible mining in sustainable outcomes.
Critical Productions is a small media production team combining documentary, podcast and digital storytelling expertise with deep knowledge of raw materials, earth science and sustainability.
Where possible, we work with videographers and specialists local to each filming location to help create authentic, accurate stories about people, planet and the materials that shape modern life.
Why our expertise matters
Raw materials stories are complex. They involve science, sustainability, communities, policy, industry, technology and the environment. Critical Productions brings together media professionals and subject-matter experts to communicate those stories clearly, accurately and responsibly.
Sarah Gordon
Founder & Presenter (Prof, PhD)
Sarah is an award winning documentary presenter and communicator. Highly regarded and involved across the full breadth of the raw materials ecosystem, from industry to academia, policy to civil society, Sarah is passionate in supporting the step change required to make the Just Transition a reality. A geologist by training, Sarah also has honed and continues to develop her broader skills in risk management and sustainability.
Sarah is also CEO of Satarla; Co-founder of Responsible Raw Materials; and sits on a number of Boards across the sector.
Jeff Townsend
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Jeff is a well respected facilitator and public affairs strategist who grew up on mines around the world. His ability to navigate both political and mining sectors led him to found the Critical Minerals Association in the UK, but also establishing CMAs in Australia and the USA. He also founded the Critical Minerals International Alliance that engages with global bodies such as the UN, WEF, World Bank, and MSP.
He is also Director of Rock Art Consulting, a bespoke external affairs consultancy for the mining industry. He has sat on numerous Government Advisory groups and currently is the Chairman of the Advisory Group to the UK’s Climates Programme.
Helen Bargmann
Producer
Helen has worked in the film & television industry for the last 5 years, and before joining Critical Productions as an producer. With experience on documentaries such as Plastic Warriors and a strong interest in sustainability, Helen believes storytelling is an important tool in the fight for a sustainable planet by reaching wider audiences and creating long-term impact.
Jocelyn Barker
Production Manager
Jocelyn is a Production Manager and sustainability consultant with a background in earth sciences, including a BSc and MSc from the University of Oxford. She believes that understanding raw materials is only the beginning, and that important ideas create change only when they are communicated clearly and in a way that resonates.
With experience across performance and research, Jocelyn is passionate about unearthing the real stories behind raw materials and turning them into compelling content for wide audiences.
Lorna Jones
Finance Manager
Drawing from a career in emergency nursing, Lorna now uses her keen eye for detail and precision as the Finance Manager for Critical Productions. Lorna transitioned back to her first love of numbers and retrained in accounting in 2017, building on her passion for budget management and alignment, bringing a strength of calm and stability to the exciting world of video production.
Alex Fuentes
Web Developer
With a background in geology, geospatial science, cartographic design and app development, Alex supports the Critical Productions digital presence. His work helps turn complex raw materials, mapping and technical information into clear, accessible online experiences across the website and digital platforms.
Matthew Grimshaw
Geologist & Presenter (PhD)
Matthew is a chartered geologist with a decade of international experience across academia, mineral exploration and consulting. He has worked on projects across Africa, the Middle East and North America, partnering with junior explorers, government surveys and major companies.
At Critical Productions, Matthew applies his expertise as a presenter and subject-matter expert to communicate complex geological topics clearly, with a focus on the role of responsible mining in sustainable outcomes.
Explore our work
See how Critical Productions applies media production, raw materials expertise and sustainability storytelling across documentaries, podcasts, short-form social content and B-roll.
