BBC alum Marcus Ryder appointed CEO of UK’s Film and TV Charity

Marcus Ryder

Diversity campaigner and former BBC exec Marcus Ryder has been appointed as CEO of the Film and TV Charity in the UK.

He will take up the post in early autumn, replacing Alex Pumfrey who moved to UK comcaster ITV as its director of strategic partnerships in March.

Ryder most recently served as head of external consultancies at the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, which was set up to explore and increase diversity across the media industry.

Previously serving as a current affairs commissioner and exec producer for the BBC, Ryder is also the chair of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and is currently a trustee of the Press Pad Charitable Foundation.

He joins the Film and TV Charity as it ramps up support for industry workers facing uncertainty caused by the cost-of-living crisis and wider industry factors. The charity is working to support the mental, social, and financial wellbeing of everyone working in production and other behind the scenes roles across the industry.

During the pandemic, the charity said that helped more than 7,000 people, distributing more than £5m ($6.5m) to those whose livelihoods had been affected.

“The Film and TV Charity is an incredible source of support for people working behind the scenes across the film, TV, and cinema industry, acting as a vital enabler for those facing disadvantage, financial hardship and poor mental health,” said Ryder.

“The organisation and I also share a deep-seated understanding that the charity will only be able to fulfil its core aims if it helps the industry address issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. I cannot wait to get to work to shape and implement a shared, ambitious strategy to make further strides across all of these priorities.”

Claire Tavernier, Fremantle’s former global head of digital, has meanwhile been appointed as the charity’s new chair of trustees with immediate effect, succeeding Cameron Saunders and Andrew Wilson-Mouashe.