The Department for Culture Media and Sport would like to invite applications for Chairman of the Board of the UK Film Council.

Time Commitment:
2-4 days a month

Location of Meetings
London. There may be some travel around the UK involved.

Remuneration
The posts are unpaid.  However, allowances of £215 per day may be claimed, plus travel and subsistence.

Duration of Appointment
Four years

Type of Appointment
The Chairman is appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Closing date for applications
Friday 27 February

Background
The UK Film Council is the Government backed lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We receive annual core grant-in-aid from DCMS (£24m in 2007-8) and income from the National Lottery to distribute (£27m in 2007-8). 

In carrying out our activities, we also provide funding to the following partners:

the British Film Institute – which promotes knowledge, understanding and development of art of film and TV in the UK;
Skillset and the Skills Investment Fund – the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries;
Film Club - helps teachers and pupils form clubs in schools to show fantastic movies from every era and every corner of the world;
the nine Regional Screen Agencies – who develop public access to film and the moving image at a local level;  
First Light – which funds and inspires the making of short films by young people.

The UK Film Council has a presence throughout the UK through its support for National Screen Agencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the nine Regional Screen Agencies in England.

UK Film Council aims
Our overall goal is to help make the UK a global hub for film in the digital age, with the world’s most imaginative, diverse and vibrant film culture, underpinned by a flourishing, competitive film industry. Critical to delivery of our objectives is our ability to help: 

-develop a competitive and sustainable film industry, built on creativity and skills;
-stimulate greater choice for audiences;
-encourage participation and opportunities for learning;
-promote the UK film industry to the wider world;
as well actively promoting - corporately and individually - the following core values:

-Advocacy and leadership – leading on issues where a single powerful voice reflecting properly considered views is most effective;
-Partnership and collaboration – working in partnership with Government, industry and the private, public and voluntary sectors in the UK and overseas; 
-Competitiveness and enterprise – working with the grain of the market to stimulate competitiveness and enterprise, and to deliver sustainable development and best value;
-Diversity and inclusion – promoting social inclusion  and celebrating diversity so that every citizen in the nations and regions of the UK has access to film culture, so that barriers to working in the industry are reduced; 
-Excellence and innovation – encouraging excellence and innovation particularly through the use of new digital technologies;
-Transparency and accessibility – being open, transparent and accessible to stakeholders, industry and the public alike.

Governance 
Our Board of fifteen Directors includes senior industry and public figures. It oversees the work of the UK Film Council and provides expert advice to Government on film policy.

Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and have between them a combination of knowledge and experience across all aspects of the film industry and film culture in the UK, experience of working at senior level in the public, private or voluntary sector - and a proven ability to succeed.

The Board is currently chaired by Stewart Till CBE.

The Role
The new Chair will be responsible for driving forward the above work and for providing effective, strategic leadership to the Board.  This includes working with the Chief Executive to deliver The UK Film Council’s corporate strategy;
ensure that the UK Film Council’s policies and strategies are in line with its statutory duties and are geared to delivery of its Funding Agreement with DCMS; 
develop and sustain relationships with key stakeholders, including Government and the devolved administrations;
act as ambassador for the UK film industry and undertake public speaking engagements; and
chair Board meetings, and attend Board committees as appropriate.
The person

The successful candidate will have the following skills and aptitudes, gained through experience in the private and/or public/voluntary sectors:-

A proven track record of leadership at a very senior level in the UK Film Industry;
the ability to chair board meetings effectively;
extensive experience of strategic thinking and a demonstrable capacity for strategic vision;
be passionate about and have an excellent understanding of film culture and of the UK film industry including film production, distribution, exhibition, digital and new technology, education and skills issues;
a commitment to both the economic and cultural objectives of the UK Film Council and an understanding of the wider political, cultural and commercial context within which it operates;
understand the public policy context and be committed to the Government’s objectives for the UK Film Council in this area, and to public service values;
excellent  communication skills with the ability to act as an advocate for the UK Film Council, representing it at international, national and local levels;
a strong grasp of the principles of public sector propriety, regularity and accountability, and appreciation of the distinct roles of the executive and the board;
understanding of the diverse communities in the UK and a real commitment to improving diversity on the Council and in the film industry.
How to apply

Further details and an application form are available electronically or in hard copy. Please contact:

Heather Batchelor
Public Appointments Unit
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur  Street
London  SW1Y 5DH

Tel: 020 7211 2308

Email: [email protected]

DCMS promotes an equal opportunities policy.  Appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, and these appointments are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation for whether or not you have dependents

Closing date
Completed forms should be received by Friday 27 February

Interviews
Interviews are expected to be held 15 April.

http://www.dcms.gov.uk/working_with_us/public_appointments/5720.aspx