Regional screen agency Screen WM has announced new non-executive additions to its board as it gears up for the next chapter in its history, including the appointment of industry heavyweight Dr Samir Shah as non-executive chair.
The announcement comes as the agency also unveiled a new £1.3 million support package to support digital screen media in the region.
Screen WM announced the new package at the Midland launch of the 4iP fund - Channel 4’s initiative to stimulate innovative publicly valuable content on digital platforms.
The funding will help with 4iP project development, major networking and showcase events, attracting top level commissioners to the region and innovative cross-sector workshops to help encourage collaborations between regional TV, film, games, arts organisations and digital media companies.
Screen WM’s board additions come as the agency is creating exciting new opportunities in digital media, film, education and archives.
Dr Shah is a major figure in the UK media industry, as CEO of the independent TV company Juniper Communications and non-executive director of BBC Executive Board.
He said: “Screen WM was ready to take the next step forward and was looking for a chair operating at national level to help give it a bigger profile.
“Because Screen WM has been very successful at securing funding it needs someone who understands governance and who is experienced at that sort of level.
“I think its work is fantastic. I’m looking forward to a great deal multiplatform working – it’s really uncharted waters and a really exciting area to be involved in.”
Joining Samir as non-executive directors are Birmingham-born TV and film producer Tony Garnett, expert business consultant, Mary Martin and leading games industry lawyer Alex Chapman.
Screen WM CEO Suzie Norton said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Dr Samir Shah as our new Chair, he is an industry heavyweight of significant standing and reputation who will be well placed to lead and support the agency at this exciting time.
“We are also thrilled that three new board directors with specialism in film, digital media and finance are also joining us.
“Their combined knowledge, skills and experience will help to drive the agency forward as it moves into the next ambitious phase of its development”
As part of a review of board governance, Screen WM also announced the appointment of two vice-chairs from existing board directors.
Joh Dyer, CEO Hotbed Media, has been appointed vice chair of operations and will support Screen WM’s new chair at a regional level.
Professor Rod Pilling has been appointed vice chair of finance, and will chair agency’s the Audit-Sub Committee.
