Los Angeles, CA – February 24, 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 13, 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.”
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