Former Falkirk Herald reporter Tom McAllister and his business partner Mike Gower have over 50 years experience in the television industry between. Now the pair have launched their firm, Broadcast Professionals, to produce corporate DVDs for firms, local authorities and organisations.

Tom, who lives in Falkirk town centre, and Mike from East Lothian have a wealth of expertise and now want to turn that to good use.

The pair's career paths regularly crossed at both the BBC and STV. So when the opportunity came along to set up in business for themselves they realised they'd make a perfect team.

Tom said: "I have invested in state-of-the-art television standard cameras and editing systems, as currently used by the BBC, STV and Sky TV, to show the level we are pitching at.

"We think we would be of use to local companies, public bodies and
organisations who want to use DVDs or video for educational, training,
promotional and sales purposes.

"We have the facilities to film seminars, conferences, award ceremonies and prizegivings, as well as special occasions such as shows, school plays, weddings and christenings."

The company also makes bespoke DVDs to mark occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Just provide some photographs, information, your favourite music and they'll do all the rest.

They also intend to devote some of their time to continue making programmes for the UK's main TV channels.

Just last week, Broadcast Professionals secured a deal to make a DVD for Grampian Police.

Tom learned his craft in local newspapers before joining STV and also worked in public relations. Latterly, he was with the BBC for seven years, where he was a production journalist on a variety of programmes including Reporting Scotland and Newsnight Scotland. Mike was a producer and director with Radio Forth and the BBC, as well as lecturing in journalism and TV production.

For more information about the business, e-mail tom@broadcastprofessionals.co.uk or call (01324) 632805 or 07764 355078.