Seventeen professionals working across production departments have been identified as future senior leaders and formed the latest cohort of the High-end TV Skills Fund’s inclusion-focused Leaders of Tomorrow programme.
The three-year career progression programme provides the tools, training and opportunities to mid-level professionals recommended by industry peers to help them progress to senior decision-making positions across all departments.
Launched in 2021 with the aim of developing effective career pathways and improving the diversity of those in senior positions, the programme’s fourth cohort will now undertake three years of guided training designed to shape their development into leadership roles and provide the industry with skilled leaders ready for management.
At an event in London’s Kings Place where they were introduced to industry professionals from broadcasters, studios and production houses, the new cohort spoke about their career journeys and what they hope to achieve from taking part.
Barry Ryan, Chair of the High-end TV Skills Council, said: “The HETV Skills Fund is really proud to welcome our fourth cohort of future leaders onto the HETV Leaders of Tomorrow programme. Since its launch in 2021 it has provided bespoke support to 66 candidates recognised by industry peers as ready to move into senior decision-making roles and helped improve the diversity of those in leadership positions across our industry. It's brilliant to see those taking part in the programme also become such strong advocates of the importance of diversity in all its aspects across production teams. By investing in the programme, the HETV Skills Fund, with the support of partnering broadcasters BBC and Sky, is investing in developing the future workforce and providing those vital pathways to leadership roles.”
In September 2024 the programme’s first cohort graduated, marking the end of three years of training and ready to move into positions of leadership across HETV departments. Payam Hosseinian, a member or the graduating cohort, specialising in post-production sound, said: “Through mentorship and placements, Leaders of Tomorrow has opened doors for me. Doors that I felt were closed for years. Through the programme, I'm meeting people who are very generous with their time and are not afraid to go the extra mile in order to make our industry a better place for all of us.”
Those on the programme will now be provided with:
- A mentor/champion
- Access to the Leaders of Tomorrow VIP list: a collection of high-end TV industry experts for tailored one-to-one support, advice and expertise
- Funded on-the-job learning opportunities per year for up to three years
- Bespoke grade and skills-specific training
- PR exposure, industry networking opportunities and introductions
- Funding towards relevant equipment or software
- A range of coaching, leadership and management training sessions
We welcome each of the cohort and wish them luck in their time on the programme. The candidates are:
Angela Effanga - Production, London
Baely Saunders - Production, Wales
Carly Guy - Hair and make-up, London
Casey Wong - Post-production (edit), London
Harriet Wadsworth - Production, North West
Jack Goessens - Post-production, Scotland
James Murray O'Brien - Camera, Northern Ireland
Kim Vinegrad - Camera, Yorkshire
Laura Rickard - Assistant director, Wales
Nikki Joseph - Art, Wales
Paula Fleming - Production, Scotland
Ruth Campbell - Unscripted, South West
Sarah Gardiner Munns - Camera, London
Tamsin Gandhi - Art, London
Teresa Reynolds - Hair and make-up, London
Thomas Sample - Art, North East
Venice Marshall - Hair and make-up, Wales
Discover more
Visit the Leaders of Tomorrow hub