Sophie Turner Laing, former CEO of Endemol Shine and MD of Sky, has been appointed chair of the U.Okay. Nationwide Movie and Tv Faculty’s (NFTS) board of governors. She is going to develop into the NFTS’ first feminine chair when she succeeds Ingenious founder Patrick McKenna, who will step down on the finish of his time period in August.
Throughout McKenna’s tenure, which started in 2013, the NFTS grew to become the movie college to win a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Greater and Additional Training and the primary academic establishment to be awarded a BAFTA for Excellent British Contribution to Cinema.
Turner Laing was answerable for Endemol Shine from 2014-2020, overseeing a community of greater than 120 inventive manufacturing corporations in 28 markets. She stepped down from the function after the Banijay takeover.
As Sky MD, she was instrumental in growing funding in authentic British programming and revitalising Sky Arts. The chief beforehand held a number of senior roles on the BBC.
In 2013, she was awarded a Royal tv Society fellowship for her excellent contribution to British tv. In 2018, she was awarded the Most Wonderful Order of the British Empire for her companies to the media and honored with an Worldwide Emmy – Directorate Award.
Turner Laing has beforehand served on the NFTS board of governors, contributed to masterclasses and supported its initiatives to encourage newcomers into the business.
Turner Laing mentioned: “The NFTS is the main mild within the movie, tv and video games industries throughout the U.Okay., nurturing expert craftspeople and visionary skills over the past 5 a long time. You solely have to have a look at their alumni and see the scholars’ improbable work, to really feel the vibrancy of the Faculty. It’s a actual honour to hitch the NFTS at such a significant time within the inventive industries and I stay up for taking over the mantle of chair from Patrick McKenna and to enjoying my half within the college’s future because it continues to flourish.”
Jon Wardle, NFTS director, added: “Sophie’s appointment ushers in an thrilling new chapter for the NFTS, and I’m assured she’s going to assist the varsity attain ever larger heights. She shall be a formidable advocate for the NFTS and all of its values. I’d additionally wish to thank Patrick McKenna for the invaluable help and recommendation he has given to me personally, and to the varsity extra broadly over the previous 9 years.”
