Below is a message from Ed Shedd, Inaugural Chair of Screen Industry Body
In the most significant shake-up of support for the West Midlands’ screen sector for nearly a decade, the region will soon have a new industry-led membership body.
I am now seeking expressions of interest from individuals who want to join me to be part of this unique opportunity to help shape the future direction of the WM screen sector.
This powerful new private-sector leadership structure has the mandate from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the three Local Enterprise Partnerships to help shape public funding, to secure new public/private investment, to develop dynamic programmes of delivery and to oversee the promotion of the regional screen sector.
The idea is to establish a new way of working in the region in order to create an agile and responsive screen ecosystem which is able to respond to the rapidly changing nature of the global content industry.
To do this, the new body will put industry in the driving seat. It will connect with public sector organisations, stakeholders and existing networks by adopting a collaborative leadership approach rather than creating a top-down agency or quango.
This game-changing new initiative was announced by the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street on 4th July, following extensive consultation with businesses and partners across the region and with support from national stakeholders such as BFI, PACT, Creative England, Ukie and ScreenSkills.
To kick start this process, I have been appointed as in the body’s inaugural Chair. As a proud Brummie and now Deloitte’s North and South Europe Technology, Media, Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Leader, I hope to be able to bring my global perspective and contacts to help support to the region
A report detailing the background and setting out the next steps can be found here – wmca.assetbank-server.com
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) PROCESS
Inaugural members will be individuals with an exceptional track record with the following experience:
- Currently working in the private, for-profit screen sector.
- Creating content, products or services for national or international markets.
- Operating at a senior level or demonstrating significant influence within your field.
- Exemplary contacts and networks within your field.
- A passion for growing the region’s screen sector.
- Operating from a base in Greater Birmingham, Solihull, Black Country, Coventry or Warwickshire.
Inaugural members will initially work with me, industry-specialist Suzie Norton and WMCA to help shape the new body ahead of a formal launch in early October.
The role is non-executive and unpaid, with members expected to have the capacity to attend a physical meeting every two months, with regular virtual communication between members.
I am initially seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential members, ahead of a more formal appointment process.
To submit an EOI please complete very short survey HERE
Definitions:
‘Screen Sector’ is defined as film, television, games, animation, high-end TV, branded-content, vlogger/influencer, VFX, immersive tech and those businesses directly in the supply chain such as legal, real estate development, marketing and communications.
‘Screen Industry’ refers to businesses within the screen sector supply chain.
‘Private-sector’ refers to commercial enterprises or individuals developing content, products or services for profit.
For more industry information, visit our news page.