Directors UK Signs Industrial Relations & Public Affairs Bosses To Lead Negotiations; Newen Connect Hire; Ant & Dec Indie – Global Briefs

Directors UK Hires Industrial Relations & Public Affairs Bosses To Lead Negotiations

Directors UK has signed an industrial relations boss alongside a public affairs and policy lead. Paul Evans, who has spent 10 years working as a trade union official in the film and TV industry, will lead on the trade body’s work seeking improvements in pay and working conditions from networks and producers. Evans joins Directors UK from broadcasting union Bectu, where he has negotiated major agreements. He comes aboard alongside Public Affairs and Policy Manager Niall Stewart, who will focus on driving Directors UK’s work in lobbying government policy makers to introduce change in the way that creators’ rights are protected and regulated. Stewart has past experience working with the likes of Pact and the European Parliament. Both are newly created roles. “With many years of experience at Bectu, Paul Evans will strengthen the Directors UK team hugely,” said CEO Andy Harrower. “Niall’s experience of UK politics and the creative industries will be vital as we seek to influence government policy on the issues that impact our members including maintaining a strong copyright regime; safeguarding public service broadcasting; and ensuring developments around AI support creators.” Directors UK represents the interests of a plus-8,000 member base of UK directors.

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Newen Connect Signs North America, UK & Formats Exec

Newen Connect has hired a distribution exec for North America, the UK and formats. Karen Wise joins from Hitler: A Life In Pictures seller Rainmaker and is aiming to build the distributor’s presence in the English-speaking market by identifying co-production and sales opportunities for Newen Connect projects to buyers in the UK and North America. Additionally, she will oversee scripted and unscripted format sales for the business. Her hire comes as Dark Hearts distributor Newen attempts to build out relationships with English-speaking buyers, having also hired the likes of British sales vet Phil Sequeira. “Karen’s strong track record in distribution, her extensive network of contacts and her determination to create business opportunities will serve her well in this role,” said Wise’s new boss Leona Connell, Newen’s Chief Commercial Officer.

Ant & Dec Indie Sets TV Boss

Ant and Dec’s indie Mitre Studios has appointed a Creative Director of Television. BAFTA-winner Jack Shillaker, whose past credits include A League of Their Own and Rob and Romesh Vs., takes on the newly-created post and will lead on the creation of a formats slate while exec producing projects. He joins a few months after new MD Ed Sleeman, as the business looks to ramp up. “This hire underscores our commitment to developing and wholly producing ambitious high quality global formats for both broadcasters and streamers alike,” said Sleeman. “We eagerly anticipate the impactful contributions he will make to the growth of Mitre Studios.”

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