British Film Institute x6 Governors

Introduction

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is looking to appoint six new Governors at the British Film Institute (BFI), including two National Governor roles with one covering Scotland and the other Wales, for an initial four-year term commencing in May 2026.

In particular, candidates are sought from across the UK who can support the BFI through their experience in the following areas:

• Driving commercial and digital growth
• Running major fundraising campaigns
• Supporting capital projects
• Providing robust finance, audit and risk management
• Experience in HETV production, film exhibition or film distribution
• Advocating for the importance of screen heritage and education 

Appointment description

Governors have ultimate responsibility for the BFI’s strategic direction, ensuring the organisation is solvent, well-governed, and meeting its objectives as a charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK Government’s strategic lead body for film. 

As a Governor, your responsibilities include: 

• Contributing to the development of the BFI’s strategy and policies. 
• Providing oversight and constructive challenge to the Executive team. 
• Championing the BFI’s mission and values, always acting in the best interests of the organisation.

The Scotland and Wales Governors will have a particular responsibility for representing the BFI in Scotland and Wales and for representing the interests of their nation at the Board. 

Organisation description

The BFI is a Royal Charter Charity that was established in 1933.

Purpose 

We believe society needs stories. Film, television and the moving image bring them to life, helping us to connect and understand each other better. We share the stories of yesterday, search for the stories of today, and shape the stories of tomorrow.

Mission

The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

• To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
• To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
• To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
• To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
• To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries, which covers film, TV, and video games, and other digital media,

Vision

We will transform access to our programmes, screen culture, and jobs by 

• focussing on the diversity of our audiences;
• expanding our work to embrace television & the breadth of creative technologies;
• reframing the public’s relationship with the BFI’s collections;
• investing in the growth of our digital platforms; and,
• working with industry to deliver long-term strategies for education and skills

We are a leader in diversity and inclusion, and as an organisation recognise that we need to address under representation at all levels of the organisation. As such we strongly welcome and encourage applicants from our under-represented groups, who identify as D/deaf and disabled and/or are Black and Global Majority.

Board composition

https://www.bfi.org.uk/strategy-policy/governors

Essential criteria

Candidates will need to demonstrate in their application that they meet at least one of the following essential criteria:

• Experience driving commercial growth, with a good appreciation of how cultural and charitable organisations can generate new streams of income, including through transformative digital opportunities. Governors with such expertise may be invited to sit on the Board’s Finance Committee.
• A demonstrable commitment and ability to support and accelerate the BFI’s fundraising goals, with a track-record of leveraging high-value networks, accessing philanthropic and influential contacts, a willingness to take part in key fundraising activities and experience of fundraising for major strategic projects.
• Experience in property strategy and capital project delivery to support the implementation of the BFI’s future estate plan.
• Expertise in audit and/or risk management to provide robust scrutiny of BFI operations and ensure compliance with relevant legal and financial frameworks. We are seeking a Governor with such expertise to chair the Board’s Audit, Risk & Governance Committee.
• Experience and knowledge of the screen industries and infrastructure, and in particular the following: HETV production, film exhibition or film distribution.
• Experience or knowledge of developing educational policy or programmes in any discipline to deliver high public benefit and impact.
• Advocacy for the importance of film preservation, with an understanding of the civic, social and economic value of cultural and heritage assets, and in particular an enthusiasm for public access to screen heritage 
• All candidates will also need to demonstrate in their application that they meet the majority of following essential criteria to a high standard:
• An understanding of and commitment to the mission and work of the BFI. Capability and willingness to act as cultural advocates and fundraisers for the BFI across the industry and government. 
• Strategic decision-making ability, including an in-depth understanding of trends in the broader screen industries, helping to ensure that the BFI is connected to emerging opportunities in this area. 
• An ability to provide effective non-executive governance and oversight, including appreciation of the BFI’s role as a registered charity, a distributor of National Lottery funds and a commercial operator of cinemas.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide a cultural and/or an industry perspective. The ability to work collegiately with other Governors and the Executive, and to check and challenge the Executive as required.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and factoring UK-wide perspectives into all decision making.

Candidates applying for the National Governor roles will be required to demonstrate the following: 

• A strong connection, by residence or otherwise, with Scotland/Wales. 
• An ability to engage actively with stakeholders in the screen sector in Scotland/Wales, and with the Scottish/Welsh Government;   
• An understanding of the work of the BFI and its partners, both in Scotland/Wales and across the UK.