09/07/2014 - Television veteran succeeds John Willis

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has appointed Anne Morrison as its new Chair, succeeding John Willis She has been Deputy Chair for the last year and her tenure as Chair will run for the next two years. Willis will be Deputy Chair for one year. Morrison is the second woman to become Chair in BAFTA’s history, following Hilary Bevan Jones’ tenure in 2006. 

Morrison began in television production as a producer/director and rose to become Controller, Documentaries and Contemporary Factual at the BBC responsible for 1,000 staff and over £100m in programme budgets. Under her leadership, the production department made programmes like Dunkirk, The Secret Policeman, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, One Life, Mischief and What Not To Wear. She was then appointed Programme Director of the Network Supply Review, planning and overseeing the growth of BBC network television from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

In 2009, Morrison was appointed Director of the BBC Academy, driving the creation and delivery of all BBC training in journalism, production, leadership and technology. She recently announced her departure from the BBC later this year.

Morrison said, “Over the next two years I want to build on everything BAFTA has already achieved, from the prestigious Awards to the amazing year-round learning programme that supports, nurtures and develops new talent. I look forward to sharing my passion for offering opportunities to talented young people, regardless of their background, and inspiring them to progress further in their careers. BAFTA has something for everyone, from young game designers to world-leading practitioners.”