LONDON: Lord Chris Smith, former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV plc, have become Patrons of Skillset, Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Joining them are Huw Jones, former Chief Executive of S4C and John McCormick, former head of BBC Scotland, who are both former Chairs of Skillset Cymru and Skillset Scotland respectively. Skillset works with the audio visual industries to ensure they have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time in order to maintain and enhance their competitiveness and productivity. Existing Patrons include Lord David Puttnam, Michael Grade, Peter Bazalgette, Lord Waheed Alli, Dawn Airey, Trevor Phillips, Greg Dyke and Huw Edwards.

Estelle Morris, Skillset's President of Patrons, said:

“These new Patrons bring with them a wealth of invaluable experience of the audio visual industries and will be a real asset to Skillset and its work. I am thrilled that they have shown the strength of their support for skills development by joining an already illustrious group of Patrons.”

Chris Smith said:

“The reason Britain punches well above its weight in film and television work around the world is down to one thing only:  the skills and commitment of the people involved.  That's why training and skills development are so vital – and why the work of Skillset has never been more important. I'm proud to be a Skillset Patron.”

Charles Allen said:

"Skills development will be critical for ITV going forward as we adapt to changing technology both in production and the distribution of our channels and content.  Therefore, I am delighted to take on this role as Patron of Skillset, because of their strategic role in developing the skills agenda across film, TV and new media."

John McCormick said:

"I am delighted and honoured to continue my association with Skillset as a Patron.  In a relatively short time Skillset has brought strategic focus to the skills and training needs of the sector in Scotland, which are essential if the industry is to strengthen and develop in the years ahead."

Huw Jones said:

“Working as Chair of Skillset Cymru has been very rewarding for me over the years and I am thrilled to extend a long standing and fruitful relationship by now becoming a Skillset Patron. Skillset's work on behalf of the audio visual industries is invaluable and has my wholehearted support.”

Chris Smith became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Chairman of the Millennium Commission when Labour came to power in 1997. He returned to the back benches after the 2001 election, and stood down from the House of Commons in 2005.  Immediately afterwards he was created a life peer, taking the title of Lord Smith of Finsbury, and took his seat in the House of Lords in July 2005. Chris is the Director of the Clore Leadership Programme, which aims to help develop a new generation of leaders for the cultural sector in the UK.  He is also Chairman of the Donmar Warehouse, a Member of the Board of the National Theatre, Chairman of Classic FM's Consumer Panel, and is on the Advisory Council of the London Symphony Orchestra. He is a Visiting Professor in Culture and the Creative Industries at the University of the Arts London and Chair of the London Cultural Consortium. 

Charles Allen has made a major contribution to the television industry. Under his leadership at Granada the Company built on its creative heritage and won more awards and made more programmes than at any time in its history.   He has played a key role in the consolidation of ITV and is passionate about the role of television in the regions and the catalytic role the media can play in the community. He plays an active role in the media industry and is a Vice President of the Royal Television Society. He is a member of the Directorate of The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and his contribution to the industry was recognised by being awarded a Fellowship of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2001.

John McCormick joined the BBC Education Department in 1970 and BBC Scotland's management team as Secretary and Head of Corporate Affairs in 1982. In 1987 he moved to London on his appointment as The Secretary of the BBC. John returned to Scotland in 1992 and served as Controller (Chief Executive) of BBC Scotland until April 2004, responsible for all BBC activities in Scotland.  John is currently Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Chair of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. He is a member of the Boards of the Glasgow School of Art, Scottish Opera, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama; and he is a non-executive Director of Lloyds TSB Scotland. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. John was Chair of Skillset Scotland and a board member of Skillset from 2002 to 2004.

Huw Jones was S4C's Chief Executive between 1994 and 2005. At the time of the establishment of S4C, he set up Teledu'r Tir Glas, one of the first Welsh independent production companies, in 1982. At the same time he was instrumental in establishing Barcud, the TV facilities company based in Caernarfon, acting as its Chairman from 1981-1993. He was founding Chairman of TAC, the Association of Welsh Independent Producers. His other positions have included: Chairman and Director SDN Ltd. (until the sale of S4C's shareholding in 2005), Director Sgrin (the Media Agency for Wales), member Further Education Funding Council for Wales. He was a member of the British Screen Advisory Council and is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society. He was Chair of Skillset Cymru from 2002 to 2005 and a Board member of Skillset from 2001 to 2005.

-ENDS-

SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE:         Eve Ragout      020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org

Notes to Editor

1.Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector.  SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.

2. Skillset's board of Patrons comprises: President: Estelle Morris. Members: Lord Puttnam C.B.E., Dawn Airey, Charles Allen; Lord Alli, Peter Bazalgette, Lord Bragg,; Greg Dyke, Michael Grade C.B.E., Huw Jones: Trevor Phillips, Huw Edwards, Michael Kuhn, Roger Laughton C.B.E., John McCormick; Denise O'Donoghue O.B.E., Lord Smith; Mark Thompson, Parminder Vir O.B.E.