North East screen agency Northern Film + Media has announced its former Managing Director John Tulip has died at the age of 62.
Tulip, who had been ill for some time, passed away on Sunday 23rd January.
He joined Northern Film + Media in 2003 as Director of Finance and Administration before he took on the role of Managing Director in 2012. In his role as MD, he helped establish the NFM Crew Academy and was key to the agency securing £2.4m in European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) that launched the Tees Valley Screen programme.
His vision for Northern Film + Media (NFM) and the North East screen industry was to provide a support mechanism for the sector, where talent in the North East could grow and work in the region rather than having to relocate elsewhere in the UK.
He stepped down from the role in November 2020.
Chair of NFM, Tom Gutteridge, said: “John was the great unsung hero of the North East film and television industry. Without him there would be no NFM, and all the incredible things that have been achieved over the past few years would simply not have happened. When One North East was shut down and NFM lost most of its funding, the organisation had only months to live. Most of the UK’s screen agencies simply gave up and shut down. But John, promoted from Finance Director to Managing Director, was always a glass half empty man, and that was just what we needed during that depressing period. He had already anticipated and made provision for bad times and had squirrelled away sufficient funds to enable NFM to restructure for the long term. He turned two years’ funding into ten, and ultimately brought in the talented Alison Gwynn to head up the regeneration of the agency.
“Ultimately, thanks to this fortitude, NFM has survived and thrived. And that’s why we are all so very sad that he has left us. This is a very great loss to the North East and the whole regional media industry will mourn his passing.”
Chief Executive Alison Gwynn added: “I am deeply saddened to learn of John’s passing. John was not only a fantastic mentor and colleague, but he was someone I considered a close friend. It is my intention to make sure we do all that we can to realise John’s vision for NFM, cementing his legacy on the North East screen industry for years to come. For all who knew him, I hope you join me in raising a glass of his favourite double maxim beer and remember him fondly. Our thoughts are with Denise and the family and all those who loved him and who he cherished. Boss you’ll be greatly missed.”
