24 September 2010: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is delighted to announce that Sophie Turner Laing has become Vice President of the Academy, succeeding Michael Grade CBE. Sophie, who will represent Television, joins Duncan Kenworthy OBE, who represents Film, as Vice President, and will serve under the Presidency of His Royal Highness Prince William.

A BAFTA member since 2001, Sophie has been a director of BAFTA Management Ltd, chaired the Commercial Committee and been a co-opted Trustee on BAFTA’s Board since 2006.

Sophie’s longstanding service to the Academy is complemented by a hugely successful career in television, which started in international distribution with Henson International Television. She went on to co-found HiT Entertainment, which produced the children’s favourite, Bob the Builder, as well as Natural History programming. Influential roles at Flextech Television and the BBC followed and eventually led her to Sky, where she is currently Managing Director, Entertainment, News & Broadcast Operations. In this role, Sophie has overall responsibility for all Sky channels (with the exception of sport), supporting a strong team of channel heads to ensure she delivers the best and most innovative programming possible for Sky viewers. She is also Governor of the National Film & Television School and a Trustee of Media Trust.

The Academy’s Chairman, Tim Corrie, said: ‘BAFTA is delighted to welcome Sophie Turner Laing to the role of Vice President. Sophie’s influential television career, coupled with her dedication to the Academy, will make her a great ambassador of cultural excellence and I very much look forward to working with her. She has been a staunch member of the Board of Trustees and I am sure she will bring the same energy and intellect to this new role. I’d also like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks to Michael Grade, who dedicated six years to the role of supporting and championing BAFTA’s charitable activity in developing the art forms of the moving image.’

Sophie Turner Laing said: ‘I have been a passionate ambassador of BAFTA for many years. The Academy plays an extremely valuable and vital role in shaping the cultural landscape of British film, television and video games with the identification and honouring of excellence in these fields. I am truly honoured and delighted to accept the role of Vice President and I look forward to continuing the stellar work of my predecessors.’

Sophie Turner Laing Bafta Vice President (68 KB)

About BAFTA:
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that 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 Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org.

For further information, please contact:

Mary Williams
Freud Communications
T: 0203 003 6300
E: [email protected]