Action for Freelancers (AfF), the pan-industry collaboration supporting freelancers in the UK television industry, has appointed BAFTA-nominated Executive Producer, Michelle Woods, to the role of Project Director.
Best known for her work on entertainment shows like The Million Pound Drop, Pointless, and the BAFTA-nominated Moneybags, Woods was an active member of the Coalition for Change and has been serving as a committee member of freelance peer-support group, TV Mindset. She is also on the committee for freelancer groups, Telly Mums and TV Switch Up. With the expertise and experience she brings to the role, Woods will work with broadcasters, streamers, and AfF’s wider set of stakeholders including Bectu, PACT, ScreenSkills, and the Film and TV Charity, as well as liaising with the freelance community and wider production sector. As Project Director, she will be focusing on five key areas: working conditions, recruitment, skills and training, mental health and wellbeing, and communication.
Woods said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join Action for Freelancers as Project Director. Freelancers have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, and my experience as both an Executive Producer and a campaigner with TV Mindset / Coalition for Change has given me valuable firsthand insight into these struggles. I firmly believe that AfF can be a driving force for much-needed change in the industry, and I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across all sectors to create a meaningful and lasting impact.”
Alongside Woods’ appointment, AfF has announced that Creative Strategist and Disability Consultant Ally Castle will be working with AfF in a consultancy role for a limited period. Castle has previously held roles at Channel 4 as the broadcaster’s Creative Diversity and Disability Lead where she devised its Disability Code of Portrayal. Subsequently, as Project Co-lead for the TV Access Project, she worked with TAP’s members to set the project’s strategy, coordinate industry-wide stakeholders, and prioritise activities towards the goal of full disabled inclusion by 2030.
Castle said: “I am delighted to play a part in this vital work to support and champion the freelance community who are the lifeblood of our industry. I look forward to collaborating with Michelle and all the AfF partners and stakeholders to deliver timely and effective change”
Sarah Swingler continues to work on areas relating to policy and public affairs. Talking about the appointments, an AfF spokesperson said: “With a wealth of experience and unique understanding about the concerns of freelancers in the UK screen sector, Michelle is perfectly placed to make a significant contribution to Action for Freelancers’ work. We’re also sure that, in her position as a project consultant, Ally will bring an additional layer of salient knowledge and insight that promises to add significant value. We believe together they can make a real difference and help us deliver the meaningful support for freelancers that we all recognise is needed.”
The appointment of Woods and Castle was overseen by a panel of AfF members and representatives from the Film and TV Charity. The Film and TV Charity will continue to provide administrative and umbrella support for the AfF Project Director, help with convening working groups, and lead on the organisation’s mental health and wellbeing work.
Marcus Ryder, CEO at the Film and TV Charity, said: “Our ongoing work to derive pan-industry standards for mental health is just one example of the fact that there is a real impetus for change right across the screen sector. Our most recent Looking Glass research has reminded us how urgently that change is needed. With the appointment of Michelle and Ally, we’re excited to stand alongside and support Action for Freelancers to deliver that change.”
ScreenSkills will lead on the work around skills and training. Their CEO, Laura Mansfield added: “Freelancers are critical to the continued success and growth of the UK screen industry. We must recognise both their importance and the unique challenges they face as a community. With Ally and Michelle on board, Action for Freelancers is well placed to kick start this vital work. At ScreenSkills, we look forward to working with them, as well as other stakeholders across the breadth of the industry, to support the further training and development of our brilliant freelance community.”
