Susanna Dinnage (former Discovery UK & Ireland Managing Director) Appointed Chair of British Screen Forum

Following a competitive process, British Screen Forum has today announced that Susanna Dinnage will succeed Jon Gisby as Chair of the long-standing membership body for senior executives from the worlds of film, TV, games, video on demand and video sharing platforms.

Dinnage brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across global media and broadcasting companies, having held senior executive and board positions at Discovery, All3Media, Channel 5 and Together TV, most recently as Global President of Animal Planet based between London and New York. As well as commercial experience, she also has a strong track record in advocacy for the sector, having chaired COBA, represented industry at the Brexit Business Summits, and engaged with Ofcom and DCMS on a broad range of policy issues over more than 20 years.

Her appointment was made by the British Screen Forum board comprising representatives from Screen Scotland, Disney, Blue Zoo, Electronic Arts and the BBC. She will lead a membership body comprising many of the best informed and most influential people in the UK screen sectors who convene through the Forum to interrogate issues of importance and influence policy and the thinking around policy.

She succeeds Jon Gisby, who is stepping down after more than nine highly successful years in the role. Jon is relocating to Canada with his current venture and to grow his advisory and coaching business on both sides of the Atlantic. During his time as Chair, Jon oversaw the modernisation of the long-standing, invitation-only industry membership body, which rebranded from British Screen Advisory Council to British Screen Forum in January 2020.

Under his leadership, British Screen Forum members heard from hundreds of leading executives, innovators,  and analysts at its events and conferences. The organisation has curated effective policy roundtables with countless ministers, senior parliamentarians, regulators and officials from the UK and around the world. It has also commissioned original research in key areas and contributed frequently to calls for evidence from government departments, parliamentary committees and regulatory bodies, helping to shape the public policy framework within which all screen sector businesses operate. During his tenure, the organisation’s membership broadened significantly to embrace all screen sector interests, and a Future Leader programme was established to help develop the next generation of senior industry figures.

Susanna Dinnage will start the new role on 13^th October.

Announcing her appointment, British Screen Forum Deputy Chair, Isabel Davis, said:

“Susanna’s command of the issues facing the screen industries is outstanding. She has an unrivalled depth of experience which will continue to make British Screen Forum a place where debate is not only incisive and expert-led, but inspiring and enjoyable too. We couldn’t be happier that Susanna will be driving the future ambitions of the organisation in the years to come.”

Susanna Dinnage commented:

“I am honoured to be appointed Chair of British Screen Forum at such a pivotal moment for the UK’s screen sectors. As the landscape evolves, the Forum’s unique role – shaping policy and uniting voices from across film, TV, and interactive media – has never been more vital. I’m excited to collaborate with the exceptional team led by Pete Johnson, alongside its visionary membership, to build on the powerful legacy established under Jon’s leadership and to support the continued strength and global competitiveness of the UK screen industries.”

Outgoing Chair, Jon Gisby said:

“It’s great to pass the baton to Susanna after nearly ten years as Chair of British Screen Forum and its events. I’m proud to have played a part in revitalising the organisation and delighted that our membership is now broader, more diverse and more engaged than ever before, spanning some of the world’s biggest companies and the UK’s most ambitious independent producers. The last decade has seen tumultuous change, including streaming, Brexit, digital regulation and AI, and the pace of change shows no signs of slowing. I look forward to supporting Susanna, Pete and the team as they continue to help our sector grapple with the complex challenges and opportunities ahead.”