ERM, the world’s largest pure-play sustainability advisory firm, has acquired First Option Safety Group (First Option) – a UK-based health and safety business serving the media and entertainment sector.

ERM is rapidly expanding and scaling up its existing capabilities in media safety services both organically and through this acquisition, to help reach its goal of becoming the global market leader in this space.

First Option works with many of the leading TV and film production companies, streaming companies, studios and broadcasters to ensure productions are safe, by helping clients assess and manage risks during production.

The company is the UK market leader for production safety solutions and is one of the largest independent consulting businesses of its kind globally. Founded in 2005, the company employs over 50 staff who will now join ERM.

Clients will benefit from an internationally consistent, highly specialized and advanced production safety offering from pre to post-production through the acquisition.

As the appetite for more sustainable operations in the media and entertainment sector continues to grow, this acquisition presents a significant opportunity for ERM to broaden its support for clients navigating this new environment. Major entertainment companies are increasingly committing to carbon neutral productions,1 and a roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the industry by 2050 was released last year.2

ERM welcomes the First Option team which is led by Managing Director Paul Greeves, who is also a former BBC Director of Workplace and Safety. The company has provided safety services for many major films and TV series, including most recently The Crown, Killing Eve, Intergalactic, The Irregulars, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Keryn James, CEO, ERM: “The challenges posed by COVID-19, combined with increasing regulatory and other pressures to keep casts and crews safe from potential hazards, is driving television and film producers to rethink how they operate, with more attention and focus being placed on health and safety measures. We’ve seen this demand grow in our existing business, and with First Option as part of our team, we will be able to rapidly scale up our ability to serve our clients globally. In addition, as the industry takes steps to become more environmentally sustainable, we see opportunities to further support our clients. We’re excited to welcome Paul and the team to the ERM Group.”

Paul Greeves, Managing Director, First Option: “Media and entertainment companies now more than ever recognize the importance of protecting their people and their productions, and are looking for high quality, consistent, global production safety support. We’re delighted to be joining ERM which will enable us to further develop our services and increase our reach for the benefit of our clients.”

1Sky commits to become net zero carbon by 2030 | Sky Group
2Screen New Deal - albert (wearealbert.org)

About First Option
First Option Safety Group (First Option) is a UK-based health and safety business serving the media and entertainment sector. The company works with many of the leading TV and film production companies, streaming companies, studios and broadcasters to ensure productions are safe, by helping clients assess and manage risks during production.

First Option is the UK market leader for production safety solutions and is one of the largest independent consulting businesses of its kind globally. Founded in 2005, the company has a highly experienced and qualified team that is led by Managing Director Paul Greeves, who is a former BBC Director of Workplace and Safety.

The company has provided safety services for many major films and TV series, including most recently The Crown, Killing Eve, Intergalactic, The Irregulars, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Find out more about First Option and its media safety services.

About ERM
ERM is the world’s largest pure-play sustainability advisory firm that provides environmental, health, safety, risk, and social consulting services, and sustainability-related services. ERM works with many of the world's leading organizations, delivering innovative solutions and helping them to understand and manage their sustainability challenges. ERM works across a wide range of sectors including: media and telecommunications, technology, oil and gas, mining & metals, power, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Founded 50 years ago, ERM employs more than 5,500 people in 160 offices across 40 countries and territories. The firm reported gross revenues of over $1 billion in the 2020 financial year (April 2019 to March 2020). ERM has a long history of acquiring companies to help grow and expand its capabilities across different regions and markets, with over 20 acquisitions alone since 2010. Find out more about ERM, and the company’s media production safety services.