Leading Role – BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip feature

In October 2022, BAFTA welcomed its first new CEO in more than 20 years. Jane Millichip reflects on the past, the present and the promise for the UK’s world-renowned academy and arts charity.

BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip

BAFTA/Sophia Spring

Over its 76 year history, BAFTA has grown from a bespoke arts organisation to a world-leading academy and awards body, a charity with a remit to support, develop and promote the screen arts, and a membership organisation for practitioners in film, games and television. It also has sustainability, technology and hospitality businesses under its roof.

This is a legacy that new CEO, Jane Millichip, holds in high regard: “I am keenly aware that I stand on the shoulders of the brilliant staff and non-exec advisers, past and present, who have poured their hearts and souls into BAFTA. And it’s a real honour to lead BAFTA on this next stage of the journey.”

If we can use the oxygen of Awards publicity to encourage the public to go to the cinema, engage in gaming or watch TV, that’s a job well done.

Millichip started her career in magazine journalism, and, after writing about everything from cars to football to media, she transitioned into television in the late 90s. Since then she has worked in production, distribution and commissioning, in the UK and New Zealand, and last year exited Sky after nine years, during which she built Sky’s production company portfolio and distribution business, later becoming chief content officer for Sky Studios. “Ultimately, storytelling is the thread that weaves through my career, as a journalist, producer and here at BAFTA,” says Millichip. “We all hope to eke out the truth about the human condition whether through news or narrative form.”

At the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 nominations announcement

Tim Whitby/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

Acknowledging great storytellers through the peer recognition of the BAFTA awards system is key to its mission. “Acknowledgment of excellence is a significant part of our purpose, and our awards also serve to inspire future filmmakers, game designers and TV creators,” says Millichip. “And if we can also use the oxygen of publicity from our awards to encourage the public to go to the cinema, engage in a progressive gaming community or watch watercooler, game-changing TV, that’s a job well done.”

Connecting the Awards to BAFTA’s charitable remit is vital for Millichip. “Core to our work as a charity is that we create programmes that provide access, development, connections, mentoring and funding for those in society who might otherwise face barriers to entry and progression, either through systemic biases or socioeconomic challenges.”

She continues: “It’s important that this work feeds into our awards system, which, following a significant review in 2020, aims to level the playing field for all films and creators, regardless of marketing budget, background or life experience. It’s essential we remain relevant and representative for all.”

With BAFTA Young Presenter Maryam Drammeh at the BAFTA Children & Young People Awards

Lia Toby/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

It’s essential we remain relevant and representative for all.

As for the future of BAFTA, can Millichip offer any thoughts on what awaits on the horizon?

“Where to begin? There’s so much to do. We will continue to rally, advocate and cheerlead for our creative community in film, games and television, both within the industry and with the wider public. We will continue to provide opportunity for the underrepresented, to provide guidance on best practice in our industries and to acknowledge great work through our Awards. We will push for carbon reduction through our sustainability arm, albert, with a progressive carbon calculation and certification programme. Oh yes, and we are working on our editorial greening initiative, Planet Placement, to encourage storytellers to adopt environmentally positive narratives.

“As I said, there’s a lot to do.”