John Willis

John Willis

John Willis served as BAFTA's Chairman from 2012-2014 and then Deputy Chairman until 2016, having been closely involved with the Academy since becoming a member almost 30 years ago. He has been a Trustee of the Academy since 2007, serving as Chairman of the Television Committee before becoming Deputy Chairman of the Academy in 2011.

Willis began his career at Yorkshire Television where he won a string of awards for hard-hitting documentary programmes such as Johnny Go Home for which he won a BAFTA for Best Factual Programme in 1976. In 1988, he joined Channel 4 as Controller of Factual Programmes, introducing new documentary stands like Cutting Edge, True Stories and Secret History. Later promoted to Director of Programmes he oversaw a number of successful programmes and films in several genres. He is currently Chief Executive of Mentorn Media and Group Creative Director of Tinopolis plc.