Phantom Digital Effects Ltd, parent to PhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio, has entered into an agreement in principle to acquire Milk VFX and Lola Post}. These two UK and European VFX houses bring an award-winning history, technical expertise, and expanded geographic scope to the Phantom portfolio (PhantomFX blog).
Milk VFX, founded in London in 2013 with further locations in Barcelona, Bordeaux, and Dublin, is known for high-end episodic television and features. Credits include the Academy Award-winning Ex Machina, four BAFTA TV Craft Awards (Troy: Fall of a City, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Doctor Who), and a Creative Arts Emmy for Sherlock.
Lola Post, established in 2000, has decades of experience in factual, specialist factual, and original drama, with additional BAFTA and Emmy recognition.
Europe Joins the Phantom Map
The acquisition expands Phantom’s reach into Europe, complementing the group’s Asian/Pacific and North American activities. This follows the previous integration of Tippett Studio, the launch of Spectre Post, and the recent establishment of Phantom China. Milk VFX had already brought Lola Post into its group as a sister studio in 2022; both will now operate under the wider Phantom umbrella, with no planned changes to team structure or leadership. Phantom CEO and founder Bejoy Arputharaj described the deal as a “major step forward” that “deepens the integration” of Phantom’s studio ecosystem.
No Shakeup: Teams and Brands Stay Intact
Post-acquisition, both Milk VFX and Lola Post will continue with their own names and creative teams. Chris Burn remains group managing director. At Milk, Sara Bennett (Chief Creative Officer), Neil Roche (Deputy Chief Creative Officer), and Jean-Claude Deguara (Production VFX Supervisor) keep their existing roles. At Lola Post, Rob Harvey remains Creative Director. Both studios retain their teams, infrastructure, and creative direction, with Phantom aiming for expanded capacity without disrupting creative output.
