SACHA McLEAN
Sacha has worked in the business for over 20 years and in 1999 was a founder of Vancouver Film Studios, a film and television production facility that today includes 12 sound stages and production offices, a production services company (Pacific Backlot Services), a telecommunications division (Signal Systems), an aerial film unit (Blackcomb Helicopters), and a non-scripted television production division (Gun Lake Pictures). He is also Chairman of 50° North Productions, a scripted television production company founded in 2015. Sacha is also a Director of KCTS Television based in Seattle.
A commercial helicopter and jet pilot for over 23 years, in 1999 and 2006, Sacha led the expansion of McLean Group’s aviation interests, resulting in the establishment of Blackcomb Helicopters, a helicopter charter company operating a large and varied fleet of aircraft, out of seven permanent bases on the west coast of Canada.
Sacha gives generously of his time to the community and is the Chair of YPO British Columbia and serves as Finance Chair and Director of West Point Grey Academy. Former community board positions include several years on the Faculty Advisory Board of the Sauder School of Business at UBC, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and as Vice Chair of the Whistler Film Festival.
Sacha has had a lifelong passion for filmed entertainment, both in front of and behind the camera. Throughout his career, he has developed, created, produced, and executive produced several factual and scripted shows and has led a team to create an industry leading scripted television production company. He has also produced numerous corporate productions over the years.
Sacha was a winner of an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014 with his brother Jason, and is a Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award winner. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Queen’s University in Urban Geography as well as studies in Film Production. He has completed the Families in Business program at Harvard University.