We are Overcoat.
Based in Wales.
Telling stories to the world.
Founded in 2018 by producers of over two decades’ broadcasting experience, Overcoat Media has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s leading independent audio and podcast companies, working with top-tier talent across the globe.
Winner of the 2023 British Podcast Awards Podcast of the Year, we followed that with an unprecedented 1st and 2nd place in consecutive years in AudioUK’s Production Company of the Year award.
We’re at the top of our game.
We’re diverse in outlook, spirit and personnel.
And we want to tell your story.
Overcoat Media is a proud signatory of the Equality in Audio Pact.
Steven Rajam
Creative Director
Steven co-founded Overcoat Media in 2018 after a distinguished fifteen year career at the BBC, during which he won several global prizes in audio for his work, including the Prix Italia, Prix Marulic and Ake Blomstrom award.
As the company’s creative lead, Steven has originated and been showrunner on Overcoat’s most critically-acclaimed productions, including “A Positive Life” (BPA British Podcast of the Year 2023), “The Crossbow Killer” and “Facing The Music”.
Compelling and innovative factual storytelling is in Steven’s – and Overcoat’s – DNA, and he continues to oversee award-winning content on subjects from history to sport, visual arts to finance, comedy to poetry.
Michael Surcombe
Managing Director
Overcoat’s co-founder and strategy lead, Michael previously combined a two-decade career at the BBC as an audio and TV producer, with a track record at the cutting edge of technological innovation – combining a content-maker’s creative flair with an eye for the latest digital ideas.
A respected technology professional and trainer, Michael led BBC Wales’s innovation programme in audio, video and digital before establishing his presence in the independent sector. He’s led numerous high-profile projects for major content publishers and brands, including Natwest, BBC Radio 3, Tonies and the European Broadcasting Union.
Leonie Thomas
Executive Producer
Leonie is editorial lead on the majority of Overcoat Media’s speech audio, working closely with a diverse range of freelance talent to deliver compelling and immersive storytelling of the highest standard. Leonie has produced award-winning factual content across a wide array of BBC networks as well as podcasts for the Art Fund and Audible. She manages Overcoat’s extensive development slate, pitching to leading stakeholders across the public and commercial sectors, and working with a vast array of ideas and producers to bring the very best talent and stories to life. Away from audio, she finds herself learning how to make cider on a farm in France.
Jess Gunasekara
Development Producer
Jess leads on commercial partnerships and narrative podcast development to the global audio market, liaising with publishers like Tonies, Wondery, Audible, Dear Media, Sony and CBC to bring our most compelling stories to platforms across the world. Jess’s empathy as a storyteller and passion for elevating less-heard voices has led her to be trusted with many uniquely powerful human stories – including her debut podcast commission June: Voice of a Silent Twin (which reached #2 in Apple Podcasts’ True Crime chart). She’s also lead writer on Overcoat Media’s series of immersive audio adventures for the children’s brand Tonies.
Katie Hill
Producer
Katie joined us via the BBC Indie Development Fund in 2024 and has fast become one of the most prominent content makers on BBC Radio 3 Unwind, co-leading the production of our acclaimed strand The Mindful Mix. As well as having a vast classical music knowledge, Katie’s a skilled sound mixer and studio technician, and brings with her hundreds of hours of experience on live studio content for BBC Radio Wales and Radio Platfform. Outside of work, she’s actively involved with The Radio Academy and can often be found at a gig or at the cinema in Cardiff.
James Taylor
Producer
Winner of Best Music Producer at the 2024 Audio Production Awards, James is one of the brightest young voices in music content production in the UK. As a freelancer, James has produced high-profile Radio 3 music series for Overcoat Media with Chris Addison and Caroline Shaw, as well as marshalling the production of The Mindful Mix since its inception in 2023. A talented multi-cam director and producer with credits from Tortoise Media and BBC Four, outside of work James is also a composer and director of the brilliant Cardiff-based vocal harmony group The Inner Voices.
Amy Wheel
Business Manager
With more than a decade of expertise co-ordinating major media projects in-house for BBC Radio 3, BBC Wales and many others, Amy leads all aspects of contracts, logistics and business management – ensuring Overcoat Media’s content is executed to the very highest standard. As casting manager, Amy has been responsible for securing the talents of some of the most high-profile names in entertainment – including Sam Smith, Michael Sheen, Nicky Campbell, Maxine Peake, Adrian Chiles, Toby Jones, Elis James, Sue Perkins, Don Warrington, and many others. She also brings experience as a producer and presenter for BBC Radio 4 and Radio Wales.
Janice Jardine
Production Co-Ordinator
Based in sunny Cape Town, South Africa, Janice brings nearly two decades’ experience of commercial radio and television production management. She loves to organise and makes sure that everything we do runs smoothly and efficiently – and always with a smile.