ScreenSkills High-End TV Skills Fund Unveils The Next Leaders Of Tomorrow

The ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund has unveiled 22 mid-level crew identified by industry recommendation as Leaders of Tomorrow as part of the programme to support the need for skilled senior roles.

They will form the second cohort of the progression initiative aimed at developing effective career pathways and increasing diversity among leadership roles within high-end TV.

The programme, now in its second year, will champion future industry talent by providing comprehensive mentoring, masterclasses and paid on-the-job training over the next three years. Those selected were each put forward by industry professionals having been marked as ready to take the next step in their career development and will now have access to expertise and resources tailored to what they need to progress to future head of department roles.

Twenty places on the programme are being supported by the High-end TV Skills Fund with industry contributions from high-end TV productions, with the BBC funding an additional two places.

Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television, said: "I am really proud to welcome our second cohort onto our HETV Leaders of Tomorrow programme, which provides three years of bespoke support to individuals hand-picked by industry to move into leadership roles in the future across a host of grades. It is fantastic to be able to support a second amazing group of talented individuals based all across the UK to become the leaders of tomorrow in HETV."

Helen Mattioli, BBC, said: "We're delighted to once again work with ScreenSkills to support the Leaders of Tomorrow programme and the commitment to improving the skills and diversity of the HETV workforce. As an industry it’s hugely important that we’re able to provide the next generation of HETV talent with the guidance they need to effectively develop and become future leaders."

At the programme's launch, the new cohort discussed their hopes and aims for the next three years.

Jasmin John is a first assembly editor using the programme to step up to an editor role. She said: "I hope to become an inspiration for other young Black women who are keen to pursue a career in post-production but perhaps feel discouraged due to the lack of representation. Those at senior level are the decision-makers and change-makers and being recognised as a Leader of Tomorrow is a warm invitation to take a seat at the table."

Researcher Inka Creswell is aiming to become a self-shooting producer/director via the programme and says she looks forward to the mentorship and guidance it will provide. She said: "I think that expert advice will give me those abilities to feel really confident in stepping up in my career. Visibility and the ability to network with different people within the industry and ensure that I have all of the tools and the skill set needed to be able to step up will be good."

The programme will provide the Leaders of Tomorrow with:
• A mentor/champion
• Access to an HETV Professionals Pool of industry experts for tailored one-to-one support, advice and expertise
• Up to three part-funded placements per year for up to three years
• Bespoke grade and skills-specific training
• Leadership and management training
• Networking opportunities and introductions.
The successful 22 are listed below alongside their locations and specialist department:
Adanna Adams, London. Production
Ana Mlynarska. London, Edit
Ayden Millar, Scotland, Art department
Chris Sowden, Yorkshire and The Humber, Camera
Inka Cresswell, South West, Factual
Jack Rafferty, Northern Ireland, Art department
Jasmin John, East Midlands, Edit
Jennifer Atcheson, Northern Ireland, Camera
Jolien Buijs, London, VFX
Julia Clara Goitia Manon, London, VFX
Kathleen Lambie, Scotland, Accounts
Kim Brown, North East, Hair and Make Up
Laki Pattapola, London, VFX
Lizzie King, South East, Location sound
Louise Murphy, London, Camera
Nana Orhurhu, London, Costume
Nicole Howe, Wales, Assistant director
Nuria Perez, London, Camera
Priya Bhakta, Yorkshire and The Humber, Production
Shelley Rees, Wales, Production
Sion Clarke, South West, Art
Lilyana Houghton-freeman, London, Art

www.screenskills.com