Director of High-end TV Kaye Elliott leaves ScreenSkills in late June after eight years of service. Under her leadership, the High-end TV Skills Fund’s income has increased from under £2m from 90 productions to a record £9.4m in 2024/25 from 192 productions.
The HETV Fund has invested more than £10m annually since 2020 in workforce development and skills programmes right across the UK, with investment decisions made by the 12 industry working groups introduced by Kaye, which are made up of more than 100 UK wide indies and senior industry figures, which ensure the Funds' investments are always industry directed.
Kaye’s achievements include devising the pre new entrant inclusive access programme First Break, now in its sixth year and delivered in partnership across the UK with active productions.
She also led the launch of the Leaders of Tomorrow programme, an inclusive-focused programme to help individuals step up into leadership roles. Now in its fourth year, it has supported 66 people make the transition and helped change the make-up of leaders in high-end TV for the future.
She has overseen the launch of a suite of in person professional skills training, including leadership and management training, positive mental health on production and anti-bullying and harassment training, as well as devising a host of industry e-learning together with colleagues at ScreenSkills and available free on the charity’s platform.
Kaye has hosted a series of international industry events and showcases in Los Angeles, to raise international awareness of the importance of collective skills investment.
In collaboration with Netflix, she successfully pitched and devised ‘From Script to Screen’, a comprehensive e-learning series to support new entrants understand how scripted content is made. This training is now used by Netflix internationally.
Kaye said: “When I look back over the past eight years it’s fantastic to see the impact that the Skills Fund has had, which is only possible due to the commitment of HETV producers' investment in skills. I’m so proud of everything we have delivered to support workforce growth as part of the amazing HETV team. The team's immense talent and dedication has made such a difference, not only to how we support our UK industry maintain its position as a global leader, but also to the freelancers who work so hard – often in challenging times – to build and sustain successful careers. Hearing their stories and how we have helped them means so much.”
Barry Ryan, Chair of the High-end TV Skills Fund said: "The High-end TV Skills Fund supports the UK's world-class television industry by helping to create an environment and culture that appreciates training and supports freelancers in building. Kaye has led the Fund brilliantly and tirelessly for over eight years from its initial inception, pivoting during Covid to support crew online and navigating the recent boom and diversification of skills. Kaye leaves the Fund in the position as the premiere support for productions with the training offered emulated by organisations worldwide. She has built a fantastic team of dedicated and talented professionals who I know will continue the great work planned for the coming year. On behalf of the High-end TV Skills Council and our working groups, I thank her for changing the industry for the better and wish her huge success for the future."
ScreenSkills CEO Laura Mansfield added: “Kaye’s achievements speak for themselves. I’d like to thank her for everything she and the team have delivered, her commitment to ScreenSkills and also the support she has shown me since I became CEO. Her knowledge, experience and passion is impressive, and she’s built an equally passionate and committed team across the UK here at ScreenSkills who have themselves built strong relationships with producers, beneficiaries and trainers. I know the team will rise to the occasion following her departure and that Kaye will continue to achieve great things. I wish her the very best for her next role.”