Jimmy was one of the founders of Hat Trick Productions in 1986. Since then, he's overseen its growth into one of the country's leading producers of popular and award-winning comedy, drama, entertainment and digital media. He has a proven track record of identifying, developing and nurturing the best new writing and on-screen talent in the UK. His success spans a 30-year career; from long-running hits Whose Line is it Anyway?  (the first UK show sold to the US), Have I Got News For You and Father Ted, to Outnumbered, Episodes starring Matt Leblanc and most recently  Channel 4's award-winning hit Derry Girls.

In 1999 Jimmy received the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution to Television. He is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Liverpool.