We are proud to announce the winner of our third annual Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award: The Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation. PGGB Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented Laurily Adams, Nicola Lees, and Kelly Spearman of the trainee scheme and foundation with the award last night (Monday 24th March) at PGGB’s Talent Showcase, at The InterContinental Hotel on London’s Park Lane, hosted in association with The Walt Disney Studios and supported by Sargent-Disc.
First launched in 2022, this important industry initiative shines a light on the inspirational work of those organisations or individuals in production, who are helping to create and progress talent inclusion in the UK screen production workforce. The winner was chosen by a jury led by PGGB’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Commenting on the winner, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh said: "Many of these individuals and organisations have existed for years, delivering incredibly important work and it takes a platform like this, to really shine a light on the importance of creating opportunity for those who have the talent but maybe not the connections and access to the industry."
Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation was founded 12 years ago to support new and diverse talent and was created by the leading independent agency that represents behind-the-camera production and technical talent.
As an organisation, Sara Putt Associates recognises that there’s a wealth of highly-trained individuals out there who want to enter the film and TV industry, but many need help with the soft skills required to develop a successful freelance career. The Trainee Scheme involves working with a new cohort of trainees each year through workshops, events and first-hand access to industry operators, to give them a footing in the industry. The talent pipeline has been extended through the formation of a Foundation which, working alongside partner organisations, has created access for people who might never have had the opportunity to work in film and TV. These quiet but effective efforts in training and talent development have made an enormous contribution to improving diversity and representation in our industry.
Sara Putt, Founder and Managing Director of Sara Putt Associates, commented: “We feel incredibly honoured, very moved, and touched that people have thought to nominate us for this award. We are admirers and supporters of the Production Guild of Great Britain, and have been for many years, so we're very aware of this award and, honestly, we're all hugely surprised and incredibly delighted. We are in such amazing company – the finalists this year are all fantastic. We’re all family and everybody's trying to achieve the same goals of making the industry a better place. As my colleague Nicola wisely says, ‘Sara, we're not trying to boil the ocean. We're just trying to make a corner of it a little warmer.’ I think an award like this really helps in that work. Thank you.”
Charlotte Tudor, VP Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios EMEA, said: “Providing growth opportunities and championing new talent is something we are deeply committed to at Disney, and it’s fantastic to see that same commitment among all our five outstanding nominees this year. Huge congratulations to this year’s winners, whose work to create opportunities and access into our creative industries has an enormous impact behind the scenes.”
Commenting on the importance of this award, Bianca Gavin, Chair of PGGB, said: “It is an honour to celebrate the winner and finalists of PGGB’s Talent Inclusion Award presented by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, highlighting their innovative and inspiring work to support career development of those who may otherwise face barriers. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their impact and build more engagement for the future.”
The first recipient of The Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award was 6ft From the Spotlight, which was praised for its work to improve mental health and wellbeing in the UK film and TV production workplace, and last year the award went to Million Youth Media, for their relentless endeavours to provide talented young people from under-represented communities with the tools, opportunities and knowledge they need to thrive in film & TV. The 2025 award-winner Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation was selected from five finalists whose work involves championing, nurturing and inspiring inclusion within the industry, from recruiting crew and providing training to creating initiatives and practices which can be adopted by others. Nominations came from across the UK.
