David Parfitt has been appointed as the new Chair of North East Screen.
His credits include the Shakespeare in Love (7 Oscars, 4 BAFTAs), Peter’s Friends, The Madness of King George (BAFTA for Outstanding British Film), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and My Week with Marilyn.
Parfitt, who grew up in Sunderland, explained:
“Our generation had to leave Sunderland to pursue careers in the creative industries. I want to be part of an organisation who can do something to change that. The media landscape is changing and I feel this is the first time there’s been an opportunity to have sustainable careers in film and TV in this region – which is fantastic.
“The media industries are huge engines of our national economy and our region wants to be a bigger part of that. Training is at the heart of it all and the support of our local colleges and universities is key. We’re here to provide the next step, attracting people early as they choose their careers and letting them know that this a really viable industry.
“The North East already has amazing talent, brilliant locations for filming and a sector that is growing rapidly and the announcement of new studios for Sunderland will further increase capacity, providing work for our newly trained crews and helping encourage North East talent currently based elsewhere to come home.”
His arrival comes following record investment for the region’s industry, including a £25m commitment from the BBC; a partnership between the 12 local and 3 combined authorities for a further £11.4m investment; plus two major new studios.
“David joins us at a crucial time in the development of the North East’s screen industry. We are delivering an ambitious programme of activity for the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) which aims to significantly increase TV and film production in the region,” added Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen.
“To do this we want to attract Production Companies to the North East where talent is in abundance. We want to create jobs and opportunities in the industry for local people and businesses connected with the supply chain, and supercharge the access to skills in the region so that the productions that are coming to the North East are fully supported by a skilled and developed workforce.”
Parfitt takes over from Emmy award-winning producer, Tom Gutteridge, who said:
“I am absolutely delighted that David has agreed to take over at such an exciting time for North East Screen. He brings exactly the stature and stability the organization needs as it enters the next phase of growth and delivery. Since I first joined the board of NFM 14 years ago, we’ve been on a rollercoaster ride: from the almost-terminal loss of funding following the closure of One North East, through the years of bare survival, to the restructuring and resurrection that has led to the healthy, successful organization we see today.
“I’m incredibly proud to have been asked to lead such a loyal, passionate and dynamic team for the last decade. Since our appointment of the dynamic Alison Gwynn in 2017, it has never looked back, and today the future of the entire North East screen sector, from broadcast to movies, digital to corporate, has never been rosier. I wish David, and all the board, every success.”
The organisation has also added Graeme Thompson MBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Relations at the University of Sunderland to the Board. Thompson is the former MD of of ITV Tyne Tees.
