British Film Institute x6 Governors

Overview

Organisation:
British Film Institute

Sponsor department:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Location:

London

Sectors:
Culture, Media & Sport

Skills:

Audit and Risk, Business, Commercial, Communication, Media, Major Projects

Number of vacancies: 6

Time commitment: 1 day per month

Length of term: 4 years

Final date to receive applications: 11:59pm on 20 February 2026

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is looking to appoint six new Governors at the British Film Institute (BFI), including two National Governor roles with one covering Scotland and the other Wales, for an initial four-year term commencing in May 2026.

In particular, candidates are sought from across the UK who can support the BFI through their experience in the following areas:

• Driving commercial and digital growth
• Running major fundraising campaigns
• Supporting capital projects
• Providing robust finance, audit and risk management
• Experience in HETV production, film exhibition or film distribution
• Advocating for the importance of screen heritage and education

Governors have ultimate responsibility for the BFI’s strategic direction, ensuring the organisation is solvent, well-governed, and meeting its objectives as a charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK Government’s strategic lead body for film.

As a Governor, your responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the development of the BFI’s strategy and policies.
• Providing oversight and constructive challenge to the Executive team.
• Championing the BFI’s mission and values, always acting in the best interests of the organisation.
• The Scotland and Wales Governors will have a particular responsibility for representing the BFI in Scotland and Wales and for representing the interests of their nation at the Board.

The BFI is a Royal Charter Charity that was established in 1933.

We believe society needs stories. Film, television and the moving image bring them to life, helping us to connect and understand each other better. We share the stories of yesterday, search for the stories of today, and shape the stories of tomorrow.

The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

• To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
• To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
• To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
• To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
• To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries, which covers film, TV, and video games, and other digital media

We will transform access to our programmes, screen culture, and jobs by

• focussing on the diversity of our audiences;
• expanding our work to embrace television & the breadth of creative technologies;
• reframing the public’s relationship with the BFI’s collections;
• investing in the growth of our digital platforms; and,
• working with industry to deliver long-term strategies for education and skills

We are a leader in diversity and inclusion, and as an organisation recognise that we need to address under representation at all levels of the organisation. As such we strongly welcome and encourage applicants from our under-represented groups, who identify as D/deaf and disabled and/or are Black and Global Majority.

Essential criteria

Candidates will need to demonstrate in their application that they meet at least one of the following essential criteria:

• Experience driving commercial growth, with a good appreciation of how cultural and charitable organisations can generate new streams of income, including through transformative digital opportunities. Governors with such expertise may be invited to sit on the Board’s Finance Committee.
• A demonstrable commitment and ability to support and accelerate the BFI’s fundraising goals, with a track-record of leveraging high-value networks, accessing…