Uni-versal Extras Ltd. was founded in 2005 by 23-year-old Oxford Brookes graduate Wayne Berko. After researching the market, Berko realized that feature film and TV productions shooting in multiple locations across the UK would benefit from having one nationwide casting agency. Funding was obtained by investing his own savings and by applying for DTI loans. DTI loans are borrowed directly from a bank which are guaranteed (up to a point) by the Department of Trade and Industry.
