Regional screen agency, Screen WM today announced new Non-Executive additions to its Board as it embarks on the next chapter in its history.
The additions follow a major restructuring of the agency along with the successful acquisition of significant new funds, and exciting new opportunities in digital media, film, education and archives.
Screen WM’s Board is proud to announce Dr Samir Shah OBE as its new Non-Executive Chair. Dr Samir 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. His wealth of media and board governance experience will help Screen WM to connect at a national and international level.
In addition to Chairing Screen WM’s Board, Samir will also sit on Screen WM’s Investment Panels for the Media Production Fund and Digital Media Fund, and as such will be precluded from applying for Screen WM investment.
Dr Samir Shah said:
"I am delighted to become the new Non-Executive Chair of the Screen WM Board at such an exciting time for the agency. It is currently achieving unprecedented success in feature film production, digital media, and archive and audience development innovation, and I look forward; along with the rest of the Board; to help build upon this success"
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.
All three are leading experts in their chosen field and will ensure Screen WM are best placed to meet the challenges and changing landscape of the screen media sector, as well as strengthen its commitment to supporting, promoting and developing a thriving screen sector in the West Midlands.
Suzie Norton, CEO of Screen WM 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 governance undertaken by the Board, Screen WM is also announcing today 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, and as such will be precluded from applying for Screen WM investment.