Screen Australia appoints former Universal, C4 exec as CEO

TV funding body Screen Australia has appointed a former Universal Studios and Channel 4 executive to become its new CEO.

Graeme Mason will replace incumbent chief exec Ruth Harley in November.

He joins from the New Zealand Film Commission, where he has been CEO since 2009. His previous roles include president, worldwide acquisitions for Universal and head of media projects at UK broadcaster Channel 4.

“After so many years away I am delighted to be coming home to Australia to take on such an exciting role and to build on the great work of Ruth Harley and her team. I am really looking forward to working as part of the Australian screen industry to help tell our stories to domestic and global audiences and to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable screen sector,” said Mason.

“The board was extremely impressed by Graeme’s extensive commercial experience and his unique perspective on the need for a screen agency to create a bridge between industry and government, and a balance between culture and commerce,” said Screen Australia chairman Glen Boreham.

“As we look forward to welcoming Graeme to the agency, we also want to acknowledge the remarkable leadership of Ruth Harley as our inaugural CEO. Ruth can be very proud of her achievements during her five-year term, during which she brought the three former agencies together into one organisation and implemented a significant overhaul of our approach to development and funding of screen content.”