ScreenSkills HETV Skills Fund unveils 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.

“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,” stated Kaye Elliott, Director of HETV. “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.”

“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,” said the BBC’s Helen Mattioli. “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. “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,” she commented. “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. “I think that expert advice will give me those abilities to feel really confident in stepping up in my career,” she said. “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

SEE THE FULL LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS BELOW:

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