Screen Alliance North has announced the 17 senior leaders selected for Into the Lead, a new development programme designed to support the next generation of leadership across the North of England’s independent scripted production sector.
The programme officially launched this week at an event in Leeds, bringing together participants from Yorkshire, the North East, Manchester and Liverpool for the first time as a cohort.
Into the Lead has been created specifically for senior leaders working in independent production companies and aims to equip them with the tools, insight and mindset needed to lead in a rapidly changing industry. Areas of focus include understanding AI and new technologies, strengthening leadership capability, embedding good work and sustainable practice, and building peer networks across the region.
The cohort was selected following a call-out at the end of last year by the four screen agencies that make up Screen Alliance North — Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire — with a detailed selection process resulting in representation from all four regions.
Penny Hall, Partnership Lead at Screen Alliance North, said: “Screen Alliance North, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, is helping the screen industry build a stronger, more sustainable future, one that embraces innovation and puts people first. That means learning how to harness new technology and AI responsibly, building resilient and future-ready leaders, and creating inclusive, forward-thinking workplaces where diverse talent can thrive. This programme has been tailored to ensure leaders across our region have the relevant skills and resources to make this happen.”
Into the Lead participants
Raza Mallal Talking Lens Productions Leeds
Libby Walker Nana Peg Productions South Shields
Vaishalli Paatil Photo Stories Ltd Wirral
Johanne McAndrew Boom Pow Productions Liverpool
Sol Papadopoulos Hurricane Films Liverpool
Karen Taylor Plenitude Productions Hebden Bridge
Paula Hughes North Star Films Hartlepool
Isabelle Stead Little Light Leeds
Natalie Anderson-Shepherd Shepherd Productions Leeds
Susanna Boccaccio Brilliant Trees Media Co Salford
Kate Robinson 2 Birds and a Camera Liverpool
Diane Clarke Clarke Film and Media Barnsley
Carley Armstrong True Moon/Mack’em Productions North East
Hugh Mann Anderson Enon Films Sheffield
Thea Burrows Can Can Productions Hebden Bridge
Michelle Stein The Fold Film and TV Liverpool
Garry Paton Finite Films Manchester
The course will run from January to April and comprises six online modules featuring expert speakers, exercises, resources, breakout sessions and structured peer support. It is delivered by training partners Under the Moon and Creaticity.
Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the British Film Institute, said: “Nurturing positive workplace cultures, being receptive and open to change, and building the confidence to innovate and take measured risk are vital parts of modern leadership – we look forward to seeing the impacts of this programme and working with Screen Alliance North to take learnings from it to inform future leadership training for our sector.”
Ruth Pitt, director at Under the Moon and course leader, added: “The aim of this first event was to connect everyone and create a sense of community as the group embarks on the course together. The energy and positivity in the room was fantastic with participants networking and bonding as a cohort. Collaboration is key to achieving scale-up success so we are hoping to provide the best environment to ensure the group can thrive.”
The programme is funded by Screen Alliance North as a BFI Skills Cluster, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding.
