Team
Carla Herbertson
David Smith
Tom Berry
Juliana Rueda
Lucy Wroe
Rachel Matthews
About us
Small Wardour is a consultancy and production company in the niche but mighty market that is children’s audio. We fulfil the need for audio experts within children’s media and publishing.
Carla and David first met many moons ago when they worked together on the Moomin’s audiobooks for Penguin Random House. Carla was the producer, David was the Sound Engineer, and together they made magical Moomin’s audio.
From there many children’s productions followed, with Carla regularly bringing their children’s titles to David at Wardour Studios. In the intervening years their paths criss-crossed. David became the go-to person for children’s audio productions and launched his own award-winning podcast, Super Great Kids’ Stories and Carla went on to lead the international business development for global digital distributor Zebralution.
However, their friendship and their shared interest in children’s audio publishing ensured they stayed in touch. In early 2022 Carla and David knew it was the right time to combine their expertise in the audiobook and podcast industry and created Small Wardour, the first children’s audio agency at the time.
Carla Herbertson – Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer
Carla has worked in children’s audio for over twenty years, ten of which as a BBC producer across a variety of children’s programmes including CBeebies. She set up her children’s audio consultancy and production company, Small Productions, in 2011, which became Small Audio in 2021. Carla previously worked at RNIB where she created a new business structure and strategy for RNIB’s Newsagent Service and led the international business development for global digital distributor Zebralution. Carla is passionate about helping clients to unlock their potential in audio.
David Smith – Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
David studied music and technology in Melbourne and has worked in audio production for over 20 years. His experience ranges from radio feature mixing and audiobook directing to commercial voiceover and music composition. David founded Wardour Studios in 2012 and is the co-creator of the award winning podcast Super Great Kids’s Stories.
Tom Berry – Studio Manager
Tom studied music production at dBs Music Bristol. He has worked at Real World Studios with the likes of Stewart Lee, Sian Evans, and many more. He particularly likes devouring books and as much music as he possibly can.
Juliana Rueda – Spanish Language Project Lead
Juliana is the founder of Miutbooks, a premium audiobook production company and Spanish-language consultancy based in Spain. Inspired by the power of storytelling after the birth of her son, she co-created Cuentásticos, a podcast made by children, for children. She works as a Project Lead for Small Wardour, helping publishers and children’s platforms across Spain, Latin America, and beyond develop effective audio strategies and produce high-quality content.
Lucy Wroe – Junior Producer
Lucy is a producer, audio engineer, creative director and producer working mainly with children’s audio projects such as the award-winning Supergreat Kids Stories, Bust or Trust and My First Podcast. Lucy specialises in the creative management and recording of podcasts including sound design and FX.
Rachel Matthews – Production Assistant
Rachel studied Creative Writing and Publishing at Kingston University while gaining experience as a children’s bookseller at Waterstones. With a deep love for stories, she is passionate about encouraging children to develop a love for words in all their forms. Rachel assists on editorial and strategy projects, bringing creativity and a keen understanding of young audiences to everything she does.