Aimed at individuals working in all grades and departments represented by PGGB’S membership (including production, accounts, ADs, locations, post-production and VFX supervisors and co-ordinators), PGGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Mentor Scheme is designed to help underrepresented talent at entry, early, experienced and expert levels, to reach the next level of their career in their chosen field. Mentors have been selected from PGGB’s membership talent and business partners, who have all worked in film and High-End TV production at a senior level.
 

Professor Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO, says: “Following an exceptionally strong response to our call for mentee and mentor applicants earlier this year, I’m so pleased to see our Mentor Scheme move out of the starting blocks with 15 talented individuals matched to some of the most experienced senior production professionals working in the UK today. This first cohort spans talent of differing ages at various points in their careers, all looking to progress to next level. For the next six months they will receive dedicated regular contact time with their mentors, who will help them hone their goals, overcome challenges and implement effective steps to help them progress along their chosen career path.”

Samantha Perahia, Head of Production UK, British Film Commission says: “We’re delighted to partner with PGGB to help improve diversity and inclusion behind the camera. Access to experienced crew is a vital component of any successful stage space development. This kind of initiative, which focusses on diversity and inclusion both at new entrant level and through Continuing Professional Development, is essential in ensuring that our world-class crew base continues to develop and grow. I can’t wait to see what the talented individuals chosen for this scheme do next.”

Jivan Mann, PGGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Group Producer says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both mentors and mentees to really help the future leaders of today change the landscape of production for tomorrow. We kicked off at the end of July with a sound discussion around the benefits of mentoring, experiences of privilege and career progression, followed by training on how to get the best out of mentoring in conjunction with ScreenSkills. We can’t wait to check in with our mentees soon to see how they are developing as the scheme progresses.”

PGGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Mentor Scheme is supported by the ScreenSkills Mentoring Network which is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds as part of its Future Film Skills strategy. It is part of PGGB’s Mission Inclusion programme (#MI21) delivered in partnership with the British Film Commission, designed by PGGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) to empower production personnel to expand their networks and ensure they are hiring diverse production teams. 
 

Meet our mentees and mentors below.

"Fundamentally, I believe our workforce should reflect our society. I think it makes for a better industry, one that has breadth of vision and relevant storytelling, collaborative perspectives and integrity. So if we get better at identifying barriers to this, and collectively hold ourselves accountable to introduce and elevate a workforce built on both merit and equal opportunity, we should find our leaders become more representative. I hope that in 5 years we can spend less time trying to break down barriers and more time celebrating the benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion."
Bianca Gavin
Chair of PGGB Board and Head of Production for Scripted TV and Film at Pulse Films

In partnership with:

Meet our Mentees

Joshua Fakunmoju

Joshua Fakunmoju is a gaffer moving into cinematography and directing. He partners with Mia Martell, producer (Slate and Diamonds, Take Away, Ben Hur,…

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Michael Kilpatrick

Michael is a major motion picture and high-end TV Production Accountant. University of Cambridge; and Imperial College London (MBA) graduate. Elected…

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Anand Tiwari

Anand Tiwari is a recent graduate moving into production. He partners with Valeria Bullo, currently Project Lead for the Film and TV Charity’s Whole Picture…

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Anthony C. Green

Anthony C Green is a camera operator moving into producing. He partners with Christopher Granier-Deferre, producer (Gone Too Far, Scarborough) and executive…

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Fi Lewis

Fi Lewis is an emerging scripted and unscripted producer. She partners with Andy Noble, producer (Killing Eve, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Extraordinary…

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Darius Midcalf

Darius Midcalf has been working in entry level post-production & VFX. Darius partners with Dee Allen, Vice President for Artists & Client Relations…

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S. Himasha Weerappulige

S. Himasha Weerappulige is currently working as a Content Acquisition and Licensing Manager and a part-time curator for ‘Asiatica Film Festival’. She…

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Jay Ruthnam

Jay Ruthnam is a legal and business affairs professional moving into scripted production. He partners with Bianca Gavin, Head of Production (Scripted…

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Bernadette D'Mello

Bernadette D’Mello is currently an executive personal assistant and production coordinator at NBCUniversal. She partners with Jane Soans, location manager…

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Katrina Grey

Katrina Grey is an actor/writer/director moving into production. She partners with Samantha Brayson, production accountant (The Bubble, The Great, The…

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Paul Reilly

Paul Reilly is a production assistant moving into production coordinating. He partners with Jacquie Glanville Head of Production, Dancing Ledge Productions…

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Cheyenne Conway

Cheyenne Conway is an experienced unit producer manager. Cheyenne partners with Alex Boden, PGGB Chairman and producer (Cursed, Sense8, Cloud Atlas, Salmon…

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Reshma Madhi

Production assistant Reshma Madhi partners with Alice Dawson, line producer (Yardie, The North Water, The Father, Blinded by the Light).Reshma says: “I…

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K.C. Hughes

K.C. Hughes is an early-stage producer. K.C partners with Christopher Granier-Deferre, producer (Gone Too Far, Scarborough) and executive producer executive…

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Meet our mentors

Valeria Bullo

Valeria has been working in the UK film industry for 16 years, having started her career in corporate films and documentaries before moving into independent…

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Samantha Brayson

Accountant

Samantha Brayson is a production accountant. Her credits, across a variety of roles, include The Bubble, The Little Mermaid, Pennyworth and Maleficent:…

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Bianca Gavin

Head of Production

Bianca Gavin is the Head of Production for scripted productions at Pulse Films, responsible for their feature and HETV slate including Gangs of London.…

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Victoria Dabbs

Line Producer Victoria Dabbs started her production career working on a children’s TV series as a production assistant. She continued to work her way…

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Ruby Avards

After an early career in leisure and tourism accounting, Ruby shifted her focus to film and TV in 2012 when she joined the Production Guild Assistant…

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Andy Noble

Producer

Andy is an Emmy-nominated Producer with dual British/Irish nationality, based in London. He most recently co-produced the feature film Creation Stories…

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Jane Soans

Location manager Jane Soans began her career as a Stage Manager, originally in theatre and later in television. Her previous film experience includes…

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Alice Dawson

Co- Producer

Alice has worked on British independent films for the last 20 years, first as a Production Accountant and then as a Production Manager, Line Producer…

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Alex Boden

Producer

Alex is an award-winning UK film and TV producer specialising in international productions, with extensive experience working with the USA, Germany and…

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