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BAFTA Los Angeles Announces Chantal Rickards As New CEO

26 February 2015
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Los Angeles, CA – February 26, 2015 – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles’ Board of Directors has appointed Chantal Rickards as the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer.  Rickards’ appointment is effective April 14th, 2015 and will report to the BAFTA LA Board of Directors.

"BAFTA Los Angeles is in a growth period, expanding its operations and programs, and putting exciting new plans in place to become the hub of the British creative community in Los Angeles.  We are delighted to welcome Chantal, whose experience and vision will be invaluable in driving these plans forward alongside Director of Operations, Matthew Wiseman and existing team members Wayne Watkins, Lisa Ogdie, Ciaran Toner, Rosalyn Hummel and Pete Modeste.  I would also like to thank Donald Haber who will be retiring in May after 18 years of outstanding service to BAFTA Los Angeles,” said Kieran Breen, Chairman of BAFTA LA.

Rickards will relocate to Los Angeles from London, where she currently resides.  She has spent the last 27 years in senior positions in television both in channel management and production. Most recently Rickards served as Head of Programming and Branded Content at MEC, a division of Group M, the largest media investment company in the world.  Prior to that, she was with the BBC as Commissioning Executive where she was responsible for launching and overseeing original programming for the UKTV lifestyle television channels.  Rickards began her career in television as a researcher at ITV’s Yorkshire Television where she spent eleven years in entertainment becoming a producer, director and executive producer; later she became Channel Director at Carlton Television’s Taste Network.  Her TV credits include the international formats for Masterchef, Countdown and Through the Keyhole.

Rickards said, “I’m delighted to be joining the BAFTA LA team at a time when British film and television currency couldn’t be higher.  We are expanding our services to further promote British talent across the West Coast and will be working closely with our colleagues in London and New York on a global level.  Television and Games will get even greater support as this is a rapidly expanding area of British expertise internationally.  I look forward to working with Matthew Wiseman and the team as we expand BAFTA’s activities in Los Angeles.  The BAFTA LA Board and membership are a powerhouse of energy and ideas and I am sure they will keep me on my toes.”

For further information, please contact: 

Andy Gelb / Rachael Trager

Slate PR

(310) 461-0111

[email protected] / [email protected]

Vivian Mayer

Chair, PR and Marketing Committee

BAFTA Los Angeles

[email protected]

(818) 720-8846

About BAFTA Los Angeles

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round, international programme of learning events and initiatives that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York.

Founded in 1987, BAFTA Los Angeles serves as a bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities. Its commitment to professional and community education is at the heart of all activity, including an award-winning community outreach programme, screenings, seminars, Behind Closed Doors series, Q&As, scholarships for British students studying in the US, a Newcomers Program for emerging British talents working in the US, and a Heritage Archive project that preserves in-depth interviews with the industry's leading talents for future generations. BAFTA Los Angeles celebrates and promotes excellence through its annual Britannia Awards, Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties and the Student Film Awards. www.bafta.org/losangeles

BAFTA Los Angeles is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation and relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing work.