MUMBAI: The UK Film Council has appointed Greg Dyke as the new chairman of the British Film Institute (BFI). The BFI is funded by the UK Film Council to carry out a range of activities supporting and developing film education and culture in the UK. Dyke takes up his new role at the BFI in early March for a four-year term replacing film director Anthony Minghella CBE who has been Chair since 2003. The appointment follows a selection process from a very strong field of candidates. 

With more than 30 years’ experience in the television industry starting as a researcher at LWT and becoming the Director General of the BBC in 2000, Dyke has a wealth of experience in the private and public sectors and a long track record of leadership and running large organizations. 

He also has a particular interest in education at all levels and is currently Chancellor of the University of York and Chairman of HIT, a production company specializing in programs for the under fives. He is also Chairman of Brentford Football Club, a club where the majority of the shares are owned by the fans, and a non-executive director of ProSieben Sat.1, one of Europe‘s largest television groups.

UK Film Council chairman Stewart Till CBE said, “I am absolutely delighted that Greg has agreed to lead the BFI, not least because of his track record of leading large organizations and his exceptional ability to inspire and motivate the people around him.”

“The BFI is now in a strong position to elevate its work to the next level and raise the ambition of the entire organization. There are huge opportunities offered by digital and the BFI is in a unique place to take advantage of them by getting its world class film collection out to the public wherever they live.”

“At the UK Film Council we look forward to working with Greg and the rest of the team to make this vision a reality.”

Secretary of State for culture, media and sport Andy Burnham said, “Greg Dyke is an excellent choice to lead the BFI. He brings a wealth of experience in the fields of television, education and the arts, and a well-deserved reputation for getting things done and inspiring the people around him. He takes up his post at a time of strength and international acclaim for the UK film industry, and I look forward to seeing the BFI go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

Dyke said, “The BFI has probably got the best film archive in the world. What I believe is essential is that not only are its films preserved but also made available to as wide an audience as possible.”

“At a time when the whole world is being changed by the digital revolution we have a unique opportunity to make content available online to the whole of the education sector and, if we have the rights, to the public at large. I started something similar in my time at the BBC and I hope we can expand in this area at the BFI. There are thousands of students at colleges and universities studying television and film and we want to be essential to all of them.”

The appointment was made through a competitive and transparent process with a very strong field of candidates. The decision was made by an interview panel made up of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the UK Film Council as well as the Deputy Chair of the BFI.