6-month career coaching packages

The Unscripted TV Skills Fund (USF) is delighted to be offering more coaching packages for professionals working at all levels in unscripted TV. 

Coaching sessions are intended to provide individuals with a safe, independent and completely confidential environment where they can refresh perspectives on both their professional aspirations and the demands of their career. 

A 6 x 45-60 minute coaching package with one of our coaches will give people the tools to adapt to change, problem solve, manage difficult situations or people and progress their career. It can also help to support health and well-being during times of stress and tight deadlines. 

Please be sure to read all information on this page before applying.

Who it's for

Applications are welcome from anyone working in unscripted TV, but priority will be given to freelancers impacted by the current slowdown in the sector.

The majority of USF opportunities are for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least three credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). 

We are committed to ensuring all our opportunities are accessible to everyone. Please email USF@screenskills.com if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help, be that clarifying the form such interaction is likely to take or discussing reasonable adjustments.

What it covers

All our coaches have both considerable coaching experience and knowledge of the TV industry. We recognise that the most effective coaching is born from fruitful relationship between coach and participant. With this in mind, we invite applicants to suggest a preferred coach at the time of application. Whilst we cannot guarantee you will be paired with the coach you have expressed a preference for, we will aim to do so where possible. 

Our coaching roster: 

Lara Akeju: Lara is the founder of Rising Coaching and a former Commissioning Editor and documentary filmmaker. She has over 25 years’ experience in television, including senior roles at ITV, Channel 5 and Channel 4.  

Sally Angel: Sally is managing director and creative director of Angelica Films. She is an Emmy, Peabody, Bafta, RTS, Focal, Sky Arts award winner. She is an International Coaching Federation Member Coach, specialising in creative intelligence. 

Remy Blumenfeld: Remy is a highly successful producer/writer of reality tv shows who now supports and guides other in the creative industry. He is a qualified co-active coach.

Ariane Grizzelle: Ariane has over 30 years' experience in the TV production, training and talent development and is an accredited transformative coach.

Mark Hill: Mark has worked in unscripted TV production for over 30 years and has been running production businesses for the last two decades as a former Head of BBC Features and founder and Creative Director of RDF West.

John Letham: John is founder of Considered Thinking and combines comprehensive direct experience in the film and television industry, together with being a qualified executive coach.

Siobhan Mullholland: Siobhan has over thirty-five years’ experience in the TV industry as a commissioning editor and executive producer and latterly as a coach. She has commissioned, managed, and produced, thousands of hours of programming for major broadcasters and worked with the industry’s leading talent.

Mairéad Regan: Mairéad has more than 25 years' experience in human resources at a senior level, with 19 of in the broadcasting industry and more than 6 years’ experience of executive and life coaching.

Tasneem Siddiqi: Tasneem is a highly experienced trainer, coach and broadcaster – having presented for ITV, BBC and ITV. Tasneem now spends her time helping people navigate their careers.

Wendy Wilson: Wendy is an executive coach and professional development specialist working across the creative sector, including TV and film production.

How to apply

Click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Places are limited and applications are expected to be highly competitive. To stand the best chance of securing a place, please be sure to consider the following:

• When asked to list your three most recent credits, please include the programme title and your job role.
• When asked what you hope to gain from the coaching, please be concise but we recommend including the specific challenges you are facing your career at present. A general comment on career progression does not tell us much about how this would benefit you.

If you are accepted as a participant on the coaching sessions, you will be introduced to your coach directly who will then work with you to schedule sessions. We anticipate that these will take place on a monthly basis for 6 months, but you may of course discuss a different, mutually convenient structure with your coach.

In recognition of the time and expertise being made available, the Unscripted TV Skills Fund require all those who are offered the opportunity to abide by the following code of conduct:

• You acknowledge that the provision of career coaching at this level is a unique opportunity, and commit to it accordingly.
• You commit to attending all the arranged sessions to the best of your ability.
• You commit to undertake the sessions in the spirit they are offered, taking on the actions you have agreed upon with your coach.
• Should you be unable to attend a session you will communicate this to your coach or the USF team at the earliest opportunity.
• You agree, where possible, to give at least 48 hours notice of cancellation of any sessions and acknowledge that failure to do so may result in the cessation of the coaching opportunity.
• You commit that all interactions with your coach and members of the USF team will be conducted with respect at all times, and have a reasonable expectation of that respect being reciprocated.