Hannah Francombe Animal trainer Level 3 in Training Animals in the Audio Visual Industry at Sparsholt College, Hampshire, Lion Awards winner – Innovator of the Year
Hannah Francombe works at Amazing Animals, an organisation that trains and supplies animals for TV and film roles. Over the course of a career that has seen her teach monkeys to play catch and pickpocket for the camera, Hannah has had to adapt to many animal welfare legislation changes. To help her demonstrate her competency, Hannah completed a City & Guilds Level 3 in Training Animals in the Audio Visual Industry. ‘It is a recognised qualification in the film and television industry,’ she reveals, ‘and more production companies are requiring the qualification as it proves they are qualified animal handlers.’ Since undergoing a wrist operation that left her unable to train animals, Hannah has been using her qualification to forge a new path within the company. Her hard work was recognised when she won Innovator of the Year at the City & Guilds Lion Awards in 2011. Hannah’s award has inspired her to go on to even greater things. ‘I would like to achieve new qualifications, and help other people to learn.’