Alan Clements: The Scottish Television Leader Behind Wark Clements, STV Productions and Two Rivers Media

Alan Clements is a Scottish television producer, media executive and company founder whose career has helped shape factual, entertainment and documentary production in Scotland and wider British broadcasting. Best known as the Managing Director of Two Rivers Media, he has built a reputation for creative leadership, business growth and long-term production strategy. His career connects key names in Scottish independent television, including Wark Clements, IWC Media, STV Productions and Two Rivers Media.

Born in May 1961, with 27 May 1961 given in personal biographical details, he is 64 years old as of 21 May 2026 and turns 65 on 27 May 2026. His hometown is Stranraer, while his professional life has been strongly centred on Glasgow. He is British, male, married, and widely known for his long partnership with journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.

Quick Info: Alan Clements

Alan Clements Early Life and Education

Clements was educated at Stranraer Academy before moving into higher education. He studied Modern History at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 1983. His academic interests also included politics, a subject that later influenced his work in journalism, current affairs and political broadcasting.

After Glasgow, he studied History and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, completing his class of 1985. He was also connected with the Thouron Scholar programme, an honour associated with academic excellence and transatlantic study. This background gave him a strong foundation for work combining culture, public life and storytelling.

Academic Strength and Early Direction

Before becoming one of Scotland’s best-known television executives, he worked in journalism, editorial roles and business development. He also taught history and coached football in the United States during the mid-1980s before committing himself to broadcasting.

Alan Clements Wife and Children

Alan Clements is married to Kirsty Wark, one of Scotland’s most respected broadcasters and television presenters. Wark is especially associated with BBC Newsnight, arts broadcasting, political interviewing and cultural programming. Their marriage has also had a professional dimension, as they co-founded Wark Clements together and became one of the notable husband-and-wife partnerships in British media production.

The couple have two children: Caitlin Clements and James Allan Clements. Their family has been associated with Glasgow, while James has also been connected with New York in family-related media interviews.

Kirsty Wark and Alan Clements

The connection between Kirsty Wark and Alan Clements is important because it shaped one of the most influential Scottish independent production companies of its era. Wark’s broadcasting authority and Clements’ production and commercial leadership helped Wark Clements become a respected name in UK television.

Alan Clements and Wark Clements

In 1990, Alan Clements co-founded Wark Clements with Kirsty Wark. The company became a major force in Scottish independent television. Under his leadership, it grew from a start-up into a business with a turnover of £10 million. This was a significant achievement for a Scottish production company competing in a demanding UK television market.

Wark Clements produced programmes across history, politics, culture and factual entertainment. Works linked with the company include Football, Faith and Flutes, The Russian Revolution in Colour, The First World War, Words with Wark, Greatest Heroes in History and Great Battles.

Building a Scottish Production Powerhouse

The success of Wark Clements showed his ability to identify strong ideas, build production teams and create programmes that could travel beyond Scotland. The company helped prove that Scottish-based producers could compete at national and international level without losing their distinctive voice.

Alan Clements and IWC Media

Wark Clements later merged with Ideal World to form IWC Media. The new company became Scotland’s largest independent producer and strengthened the position of Scottish television production within the UK market. Clements played a key role in negotiating this merger, showing his ability not only as a producer but also as a business strategist.

IWC Media later became part of RDF Media in a major commercial deal. This stage of his career confirmed his standing as a media entrepreneur who could grow a company, develop value and manage change in a fast-moving industry.

Alan Clements at STV Productions

From 2008 to 2018, Alan Clements served as Director of Content at STV Productions. This decade was one of the defining periods of his career. At STV, he helped the company expand into new genres, reach new broadcasters and strengthen its reputation beyond Scotland.

His work contributed to the creation and development of major programmes and franchises, including Antiques Road Trip and Catchphrase. These titles demonstrated his ability to support both factual entertainment and mainstream popular television. STV’s production activity also expanded into drama and broader factual programming during his time there.

Growth, Diversification and Broadcast Reach

At STV Productions, Clements helped move the company into a more ambitious phase. His leadership supported diversification, meaning the business was not dependent on one type of programme or one broadcaster. This was vital at a time when the UK television industry was changing rapidly and production companies needed stronger national and international appeal.

Alan Clements and Two Rivers Media

After leaving STV, Alan Clements founded Two Rivers Media in January 2019. He currently serves as Managing Director. The company is based in Glasgow and was created with a clear ambition: to build a multi-genre production company of scale in Scotland, serving UK and international markets.

Two Rivers Media received backing from Noble Grossart, the Channel 4 Indie Growth Fund and Kew Media. It also gained support from public bodies including Screen Scotland and the BFI for premium documentary work. This support reflected confidence in his leadership and in the company’s potential to become a trusted out-of-London supplier for broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.

Alan Clements at Two Rivers Media

As Managing Director, Clements has executive produced much of the company’s output. Two Rivers Media has developed a strong reputation for ambitious, internationally recognised documentaries and factual programmes. Major productions include Killing Escobar, Cassius X: Becoming Ali, Keeping It Up: The Story of Viagra, Dogs of War, Special Forces: Most Daring Missions, Lockerbie: Our Story and The Last Musician of Auschwitz.

These projects show the range of his production judgement. They cover history, sport, conflict, culture, science, biography and major human stories. The Last Musician of Auschwitz, in particular, reflects the company’s ability to handle sensitive historical material with seriousness and emotional depth.

Companies and Directorships

Clements has held many company roles across the British television sector. He is an active director of Two Rivers Media Ltd and has also been connected with the Trongate Productions companies linked with Two Rivers projects. His past company roles include Wark Clements & Company Ltd, IWC Media Ltd, STV Studios Ltd, STV Television Ltd, STV Drama Productions Ltd and other media-related businesses.

These appointments reflect a long career at the centre of Scottish production infrastructure and the practical business side of television.

Books, Honours and Public Contribution

Beyond television, Clements has written books. He is associated with Restless Nation, a political history connected with Scotland, and Rogue Nation, a political thriller. These works fit naturally with his long-standing interest in politics, history and national identity.

He has also contributed to the wider creative sector. He has held roles connected with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and the Edinburgh Television Festival, and has been recognised by universities for his contribution to television and journalism. Edinburgh Napier University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2014, and he has also been connected with the University of Glasgow in an honorary academic capacity.

Alan Clements Legacy in Scottish Media

Alan Clements stands out because his career combines three qualities rarely sustained together for so long: editorial seriousness, commercial growth and institutional leadership. He has built companies, guided broadcasters, supported major television franchises and helped strengthen Scotland’s place in the UK production economy.

From Wark Clements to IWC Media, from STV Productions to Two Rivers Media, his work demonstrates how Scottish television can compete with confidence on a national and international stage. His career also reflects the growth of a Glasgow production culture capable of world-class factual, entertainment and documentary programming.

Clements remains an important figure in British media because he understands both the creative and business sides of television. His achievements show how strong ideas, careful leadership and strategic ambition can turn Scottish-based production into work with international reach.

FAQs About Alan Clements

1. Who is Alan Clements?

Alan Clements is a Scottish television producer, media executive and business leader. He is best known as the Managing Director of Two Rivers Media. He has also worked with Wark Clements, IWC Media and STV Productions.

2. How old is Alan Clements?

Alan Clements was born on 27 May 1961. He is 64 years old as of May 2026 and will turn 65 on 27 May 2026.

3. Is Alan Clements married?

Yes, Alan Clements is married. His wife is Kirsty Wark, a well-known Scottish journalist, broadcaster and former BBC Newsnight presenter.

4. Does Alan Clements have children?

Yes, Alan Clements has two children. Their names are Caitlin Clements and James Allan Clements.

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