Warner Bros. Entertainment U.K., Ireland and Spain president and managing director Josh Berger will become the new chair of the British Film Institute in February, the organization said Tuesday.
He will succeed Greg Dyke, a former BBC boss, and become the first American to chair the BFI. Berger was previously named chair designate. He will serve a term of up to four years.
His BFI role is a non-executive, unpaid position, and he will continue his roles at Warner Bros., which include his work as head of the studio’s Harry Potter Global Franchise Development team, based in both London and Burbank.
The BFI represents and promotes British filmmakers and filmmaking.
“I am honored and excited to become chair of this important and dynamic organization, which acts as the international champion of British film and of the talented filmmakers who fuel its success,” Berger said in a statement. “I look forward to working with BFI chief executive Amanda Nevill and her team to build on the great work that Greg Dyke has done as BFI chair over the last seven years.”
He added: “Our goal is to ensure that the BFI continues protecting and promoting the U.K.’s thriving film culture and supporting and nurturing the ideas and talent that make up our world-class British film industry, of which we are all so rightly proud.”
Said Nevill: “Josh has already contributed so much to British film and the BFI, with extraordinary energy and commitment. I am really confident we will sustain the momentum established under Greg’s leadership, and push ahead with our ambitious future plans.”
She continued: “Josh is a global player, firmly rooted in the U.K., and as our new chair is really well placed to lead on the BFI’s mission to promote Britain’s thriving film culture and filmmaking prowess to the world.”
