Screen South Appoints Interim CEOs

The Regional Screen Agency for the South East, Screen South, has announced the appointment of joint new interim chief executive officers (CEO) Sarah Dance and Chris Chandler as the current CEO Jo Nolan prepares to take her maternity leave.
Screen South can look forward to an exciting interim period with a packed activity programme.
Leading Arts consultant Sarah Dance and long-standing film cultural advisor Chris Chandler have been appointed as Joint Interim CEOs and together will bring their passion and expertise to maintain Screen South's vision in supporting world-class filmmaking and a fast developing film culture throughout the South East. They look forward to maintaining its excellent record in supporting the development of award-winning film making talent as well as the region's growing passion for film.
Chris Chandler is a specialist on the public sector's engagement with film and the creative industries. He has worked with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector cultural organisations on the development of strategy, business planning and operational delivery.
Formerly Head of UK partnerships at the UK Film Council he managed partnerships with organisations including Regional and National Screen Agencies and First Light. He led on the creation of strategies for nations and regions, creative industries investment, film heritage, film education and audience development.
Having started his working life as a stage manager and lighting designer in the theatre, Chris has worked in local authority arts management and for the BFI. Since then he has produced touring drama in north east and south east England. He said: "I am delighted to be able to provide leadership and support for Screen South at this interesting and crucial time: the team is one of the brightest and most motivated of all of the RSAs and the South East one of the most creative and lively parts of the UK.
"I am very excited about the opportunities and challenges which the next six months will present."
Sarah Dance has more than 20 years experience of strategic and organisational development in the arts, film and the creative industries. She began her career working for Sam Wanamaker on the embryonic Globe Theatre project.
She moved to the Mercury Theatre in Colchester and to the London Bubble before becoming Executive Director of the Exeter Northcott Theatre, one of the South West's leading producing theatres.
Becoming freelance in 2001, Sarah has provided strategic consultancy services to a wide range of arts and media organisations and regional bodies including Kent County Council, Culture South East (as Interim Executive Director) and Screen South. On behalf of the cultural agencies for the South East, she led the successful bid to the Legacy Trust for the Accentuate project, which she will be overseeing in its delivery phase as part of her role with Screen South.
She said: "I am delighted to be able to provide leadership and support for Screen South at this interesting and crucial time: the team is one of the brightest and most motivated of all of the RSAs and the South East one of the most creative and lively parts of the UK. I am very excited about the opportunities and challenges which the next six months will present."
Sarah Dance has more than 20 years experience of strategic and organisational development in the arts, film and the creative industries. She began her career working for Sam Wanamaker on the embryonic Globe Theatre project. She moved to the Mercury Theatre in Colchester and to the London Bubble before becoming Executive Director of the Exeter Northcott Theatre, one of the South West's leading producing theatres.
Becoming freelance in 2001, Sarah has provided strategic consultancy services to a wide range of arts and media organisations and regional bodies including Kent County Council, Culture South East (as Interim Executive Director) and Screen South. On behalf of the cultural agencies for the South East, she led the successful bid to the Legacy Trust for the Accentuate project, which she will be overseeing in its delivery phase as part of her role with Screen South.
She said: "I' m delighted to be taking up this role at this important time for Screen South. I have been privileged to work with the staff and board for some years as Strategy Consultant and know at first hand what a talented, committed and enthusiastic team we have. I look forward to helping to guide the company into the next phase of its development."
Screen South Chairman Graham Benson commented: "Chris Chandler has a long and distinguished record in arts and media at a significant level and we warmly welcome him to Screen South's senior management team. Sarah is an old friend of Screen South, she has proved herself to be a brilliant strategist, with a strong public service commitment, a natural leader; they will both be invaluable as we face the challenges of the next few months."
CEO Jo Nolan added: "I am delighted to be entrusting the work of Screen South into the hands of two such capable and inspiring people. I feel the company will only benefit through their contribution over the next six months. Both Chris Chandler and Sarah Dance understand the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for Screen South and will have the very best in mind for our regional industry and community. I know they will continue to provide an open door for all with excellent advice and guidance."
The appointments complement the Screen South leadership team ahead of what promises to be an exciting period, amidst a packed season of film festivals and community events, and the imminent launch of the Accentuate programme, which Screen South will deliver in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Other exciting programmes the new CEOs can look forward to getting involved with in the coming months include the 'On The Lot' New Entrants Training Programme, Docu-Regio the Pan-European Documentary Pitching scheme, the Cohort Business Programme and the 2010/11 round of the award-winning Digital Shorts.
(KMcA/BMcC)