Endemol Shine Group's CEO, Sophie Turner Laing, and Toledo Productions MD, Duncan Kenworthy, will be stepping down as Vice Presidents of the Academy at the end of this year
London, 28 October 2015: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that Duncan Kenworthy OBE and Sophie Turner Laing will be stepping down as Vice Presidents of the Academy at the end of this year.
In their roles as Vice Presidents, Duncan and Sophie have shared the duty of chairing BAFTA’s Council and supporting the organisation’s President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, for almost six years. Duncan steps down having come to the end of his term of office and Sophie does so following her recent appointment to CEO of Endemol Shine Group.
Anne Morrison, Chair of BAFTA, said: “Sophie and Duncan have both been brilliant in their support of BAFTA, serving the Academy as passionate and dedicated ambassadors for so many years. They have been integral to the stability and continued growth of our charitable activity and they will step down from their roles knowing that BAFTA is in a better place than it has ever been before. We remain grateful for their contributions over the years and we wish them all the best for the future.”
Duncan Kenworthy OBE, MD of Toledo Productions, said: “Helping to sustain and guide BAFTA –and over two key years between 2004 and 2006 to re-define and re-engineer it – has been one of the privileges of my career. I first joined the Council of Management in 1996 and I’ve worked alongside some brilliant and committed BAFTA figures over the years. BAFTA is a critical entity for British audiences, and I’m as proud of my 20-year involvement with it as I am of the most successful films I’ve produced.”
Sophie Turner Laing, CEO for Endemol Shine Group, said: “As Vice President I have been very honoured to have co-chaired Council with Duncan and to see it evolve into a forum with focus and purpose. I wish the Board and Management of BAFTA much success in the years ahead as they continue to wave the flag for excellence across the creative industries and their charitable remit.”
Sophie Turner Laing has been a member of BAFTA since 2001 and has held various roles at the charity, including director of BAFTA Management Limited and chair of the Commercial Committee. Sophie was also a co-optee on the Board of Trustees until 2010, when she succeeded Michael Grade CBE as Vice President. She is currently CEO for Endemol Shine Group.
Duncan Kenworthy OBE was Chairman of BAFTA between 2004 and 2006 and instrumental in many of the key strategic decisions made by the charity around this time. Duncan was first elected to the Film Committee in 1996 and became its Deputy Chair in 2000 and then Chair in 2002. He became Vice President in 2009. He is MD of Toledo Productions and an award-winning filmmaker, receiving an OBE for services to film in 1999.
BAFTA can appoint up to three Vice Presidents, one in each of the three sectors of film, television and games.
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 programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. To access the best creative minds in film, television and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
