Stewart Till named UK Film Council Chair

Stewart Till will be the new chairman of the UK Film Council, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced.
Mr Till, who is currently deputy chair of the UKFC, as well as Chief Executive of United International Pictures and Deputy Chair of Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio-visual industries, will take over from outgoing chairman Sir Alan Parker CBE. The appointment is for four years and will start on July 30 2004.
Tessa Jowell said: "Stewart is taking on this key role at a very important time for our film industry.
"His proven track record of delivery in the audio-visual industries, allied with a keen business sense and passion for film, make him the ideal chairman as we approach such major developments as the introduction of a new tax relief and the results of a major review of our international film co-production agreements.
"I have every confidence that he will continue the excellent work begun by Alan Parker, spearheading the UK Film Council's drive to ensure our film industry goes from strength to strength, both at home and abroad."
Mr Till said: "I am delighted to be appointed as Chairman of the UK Film Council. Our film industry makes a major contribution to our culture and our economy, and the UK Film Council has an important role to play in helping to create the right conditions for future success.
"The UK film industry is rightly renowned for its wealth of talent, and I look forward to helping that talent to flourish in the years to come."
(GB)