The film boss who made Leavesden the home of Harry Potter and was instrumental in the transformation of a former factory into one of the world’s top studios has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year's Honours list.

Dan Dark, who is now based in Hollywood in his role of executive vice president for Warner Bros. worldwide studio operations, was awarded the OBE for services to the UK film industry.

Dan swapped his home of more than 20 years for the bright lights of Los Angeles in 2020, but reflected on his impressive career when he spoke to the Watford Observer before making the move across the Atlantic 12 months ago.

Read more: Studios boss who brought Harry Potter to Leavesden set for Hollywood career

Having started his career in films in production, Dan moved into special effects where he was part of the team that won an Oscar for its work on James Cameron’s Alien.

He oversaw the construction and management of a 30-acre site in Spain in 1992, creating and operating a new television studio facility.

Dan was approached two years later by Eon Productions to develop Leavesden Aerodrome into a studio for the production of Goldeneye. He continued to run the site as a film studio which became home to all eight Harry Potter films.

In 2011 Dan was appointed managing director when Warner Bros. purchased the site and invested more than £150 million to make it the UK’s newest film studio.

Since opening in June 2012, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden has attracted some of the industry’s most celebrated filmmakers including Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible; Ron Howard (Heart of the Sea); Guy Ritchie (Man from U.N.C.L.E.); Matthew Vaughan (Kingsman: Secret Service); David Heyman (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them); Steven Spielberg (Ready Player One) and the DC Comics film franchise.

Now based at Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood, Dan oversees the worldwide studio operations at both Leavesden and Burbank, including all production services and worldwide security.

Over the 20 years Dan was based at Leavesden, he played an active role in the community as a co-chair of Visit Herts, a member of the Watford Cultural Leaders Forum, a founding member of Skillmakers and an active contributor to the Chamber of Conscience.

Committed to skills development for the creative industries, Dan also worked with the University of Hertfordshire to develop many opportunities for students from mentoring and work-shadowing to a bursary programme. His contribution was recognised in 2017 when he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the University.