It was created to meet industry demand for more effective career pathways to encourage increased diversity in leadership roles within the sector. The aim is to give professionals the tools to progress to a senior, decision-making role in the future.
They have access and resources tailored to what they need to progress to head of department or to a decision-making role in the future. Individuals can only apply for the programme after being recommended by a nominator. The nominator must work at a senior level within high-end TV. This will need to be evidenced in the application.
The programme provides:
- A mentor/champion
- Access to Leaders of Tomorrow VIP list: a collection of high-end TV industry experts for tailored one-to-one support, advice and expertise
- Up to three part-funded on-the-job learning opportunities per year for up to three years
- Bespoke grade and skills-specific training
- Networking opportunities and introductions
The new cohort for the 2023-2024 programme was announced in February. See more about the event in this picture gallery.
- Aimee Whelan, production, North West England
- Caolan McNally, locations, Northern Ireland
- Chad Orororo, post sound, London
- Charlotte Ambrose, hair and make-up, South East England
- Daniel Kennedy, art, Wales
- Danielle Richards, assistant director, Wales
- Elizabeth Royse, camera, North West England
- Garry David Frost, VFX, London
- Heather Andrews, post sound, Scotland
- Izzy Morgan, assistant director, Wales
- Jonathan Livesey, location sound, Scotland
- Jyoti Rajput, unscripted, West Midlands
- Lou Macnamara, camera, London
- May Ziade, post production, London
- Melanie Doyle, hair and make-up, West Midlands
- Michaela McCaffrey, accounts, Scotland
- Natasha Roper, location sound, South West England
- Niall Strawson, unscripted, South West England
- Reanne Goodlitt-Jones, VFX, London
- Robert Hart, camera, North West England
- Ruth Woodside, camera, London
- Samantha Patterson, camera, Eastern England
- Simon Gill, location sound, London
- Solange Welch, unscripted, South West England
- Tim Jolly, locations, South East England
Recruitment usually begins in the summer. For more information about the high-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow programme, please contact leadersoftomorrow@screenskills.com.
Previous Leaders of Tomorrow cohorts
- Adanna Adams, production, London
- Ana Mlynarska, edit, London
- Ayden Millar, art, Scotland
- Chris Sowden, camera, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Inka Cresswell, factual, South West
- Jack Rafferty, art, Northern Ireland
- Jasmin John, edit, East Midlands
- Jennifer Atcheson, camera, Northern Ireland
- Jolien Buijs, VFX, London
- Julia Clara Goitia Manon, VFX, London
- Kathleen Lambie, accounts, Scotland
- Kim Brown, hair and make-up, North East
- Laki Pattapola, VFX, London
- Lizzie King, location sound, South East
- Louise Murphy, camera, London
- Nana Orhurhu, costume, London
- Nicole Howe, assistant director, Wales
- Nuria Perez, camera, London
- Priya Bhakta, production, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Shelley Rees, production, Wales
- Sion Clarke, art, South West
- Lilyana Houghton-freeman, art, London
Nineteen Leaders of Tomorrow were selected in the pilot programme in 2021. They all worked behind the camera and came from a range of departments.
- Annie Little, hair and make-up, London
- Charlotte Van Der Haer Richardson, costume, North West
- Chris Bullock, location sound, South East
- Cory Townsend, locations, Scotland
- David Crewdson, art dept, South West
- Emma Marie Cramb, edit, London
- Florence Watson, production, London
- George Thompson, location sound, London
- Hannah Lewis, assistant director, London
- Heather Crompton, camera, Yorkshire
- Jamie Lee Aird, production, Scotland
- Kiri Degon, post-production, London
- Monika Chowdhary Kuczynski, VFX, London
- Ola Kaminska-Omozik, accounts, Northern Ireland
- Payam Hosseinian, post sound, London
- Rachel Erskine, edit, Scotland
- Rianna Charles, costume, South East
- Sanjay Sharma, production, London
- Victoria Nugent, hair and make-up, Wales
David Crewdson, who works in the art department described his experience: “The LOT programme has been a fantastic opportunity for me. It has introduced me to a network of support and training that has accelerated my progression within the industry. Beyond tailored professional training and an experienced hand-picked mentor it has also provided essential access to funding that has facilitated on-the-job experience and shadowing of established personnel that has been crucial to my own development.”
Payam Hosseinian, who works in post sound said: "Through mentorship and placements, LoT has opened doors for me. Doors that I felt were closed for years. Through the programme, I'm meeting people who are very generous with their time and are not afraid to go the extra mile in order to make our industry a better place for all of us."
Monika Chowdhary Kuczynski, who works in VFX added: “The access to leadership, management and communication training, as well as professional coaching through Leaders Of Tomorrow, has been immensely empowering. The scheme has really allowed me to identify and promote my strengths and take a seat at “the table”, so to speak. It’s also introduced me to a cohort of incredibly talented, driven and downright lovely people whom I now consider friends.”