Robert Laycock is the man behind the proposed Marlow Studio Project who look to build a film and tv studio campus next to the A404 at the Westhorpe junction.

Robert grew up in the British film industry and is the grandson of Oscar-nominated actress Dame Celia Johnson, star of iconic British classic ‘Brief Encounter’, which was filmed in Buckinghamshire in 1945, and son of television and film actress Lucy Fleming.

He is also the great-nephew of the late Bond author Ian Fleming.

Robert said: "The Bond films have been filmed in Buckinghamshire for six decades and seeing that close up for as long as I can remember has been such a privilege.

"Helping to manage a legacy as iconic as Ian Fleming’s is simply extraordinary.

The proposed Marlow Studio Project is set to host a panel event this weekend filled with leading film industry professionals.

Individuals involved in the recent James Bond film, Eastenders and the British Film Commission will be on the panel at The Jam Theatre Company and the Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School on Friday (November 26).

There will also be a screening of the 2017 box office smash ‘The Greatest Showman’ starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron on Sunday (November 26).

This will be followed by a question-and-answer session with its director Michael Gracey appearing via a live video link from Australia, where he is currently working on his latest musical project.

Robert said: “Britain has a deeply important history of storytelling and Buckinghamshire leads the UK’s film industry at its epicentre with incredible talent and opportunity.

“These events have been organised to inspire the next generation interested in a career in the industry, but also to turn the camera on the people behind the story and shine a light on the variety of opportunity within the industry.”

Robert‘s own film credits include first assistant editor on the Oscar-winning film ‘Shakespeare In Love’ and he is now producing the classic John Fowles novel ‘The Magus’, as a television series, with ‘Chernobyl’ director Johan Renck and ‘1917’ makers Sam Mendes and Dame Pippa Harris as producers.

He continued: “The UK film industry and its legacy in South Buckinghamshire is something that we should all be so proud of.

"People don’t realise we have the filmed entertainment equivalent of Silicon Valley right here.

"Our outstanding reputation as storytellers is second to none so to be able to bring to Marlow events about incredible world-beating roles and skills in a local industry, is a really special thing."

The proposed Marlow Studio Project is also sponsoring Marlow Christmas Lights Switch On this year which will be hosted by television and radio presenter Chris Evans.

You can book your tickets to the event here. All tickets to the event are free.