Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale MP has confirmed that Josh Berger will take over as Chair of the BFI in February 2016.
Josh was selected as Chair Designate following an open and transparent recruitment process, which for the first time was overseen by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. He will serve a term of up to 4 years.
Josh is currently a Governor at the BFI and the President and Managing Director of, Warner Bros. Entertainment UK, Ireland and Spain. He has been a BFI Governor since 1 April 2011.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale MP, said:
I am delighted that Josh is to take over as Chair of the BFI next year. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, both as head of a major studio in the UK and as a Governor of the BFI for more than 4 years. I have no doubt he will be a great champion for British film.
BFI Chair Designate Josh Berger said:
I am honoured and excited to become Chair of this important and dynamic organisation, which acts as the international champion of British film and of the talented filmmakers who fuel its success. I look forward to working with BFI Chief Executive Amanda Nevill and her team to build on the great work that Greg Dyke has done as BFI Chair over the last 7 years.
Our goal is to ensure that the BFI continues protecting and promoting the UKs thriving film culture and supporting and nurturing the ideas and talent that make up our world-class British film industry, of which we are all so rightly proud.
Welcoming the appointment Greg Dyke, current Chair at the BFI, said:
Joshs appointment as Chair is great news for the BFI and for film in the UK. He has an unwavering enthusiasm for the BFI and the cultural importance of film, having served on the Board for the past 4 years and leading our international fundraising committee to secure vital resources for the Archive, so there will be a good level of continuity.
Josh has been at the heart of film in the UK for more than 20 years. He values and understands the spirit of independent filmmaking alongside the brilliance of our crews and facilities that are all so in demand worldwide. I wish him every success.
The BFI is a registered charity, established by Royal Charter and governed by a Board of 15 Governors. Chair of the BFI is an unpaid role. Further details about the BFI can be found at www.bfi.org.uk/about-bfi.
Further information
Josh Berger has a career spanning over 25 years in the entertainment industry, and has lived and worked in the UK since 1996. He currently serves as President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain and as the President of Harry Potter Global Franchise Development. Josh has been a UK citizen since July 2011. He also serves as a Board Member, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Trust. He was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by HM The Queen in 2012 for contribution to the creative industries.
For the first time, this appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No political activity has been declared by Josh Berger.