British Film Institute Promotes Ben Roberts to Deputy CEO Role

The British Film Institute has promoted Ben Roberts, currently director of its film fund, to the position of deputy CEO.

His new position will see him working with CEO Amanda Nevill to a wider remit, including delivery of the organization’s five-year plan, BFI2022, and its future strategic and cultural direction, and in particular developing the BFI’s role across the broader screen sectors and emerging media. This will include strengthening BFI relationships with the wider screen industries, promoting cultural diversity across the organization, engaging new audiences and talent, and developing the BFI’s financial sustainability and future commercial strength.

Roberts, who will be responsible for the overall direction of the film fund, starts his role Nov. 1.

Since joining the BFI in 2012 from Protagonist Pictures, Roberts has been one of the key architects in launching the BFI Diversity Standards, brokered a diversity-focused trainee program with Lucasfilm for the BFI Film Academy, and has been instrumental in setting inclusion targets across all BFI funding.

“This is an enormously well-deserved promotion for Ben who is widely respected and admired across the industry and who has contributed so much to the transformation of the BFI in recent years,” said Nevill. “As we deliver on the commitments made in BFI2022 and develop the organization’s future across the U.K.’s rapidly evolving screen industries his clear-minded strategic thinking will be invaluable.”