How we're governed

How we’re governed

Guiding our path to ensure success

The charity was established in 1924 as the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund, changing its name to the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund in 1964, and becoming The Film and TV Charity in February 2018.

Incorporated as a company registered in England and Wales limited by guarantee on 1 April 2004, The Film and TV Charity is a registered charity with the Charity Commission no. 1099660 and is governed by its Articles of Association which were last updated and approved by members in February 2015. The Charity Governance Code says:

Good governance in charities is fundamental to their success. It enables and supports a charity’s compliance with the law and relevant regulations. It also promotes a culture where everything works towards fulfilling the charity’s vision.

Responsibility for the governance of the charity lies with the Board of Trustees. Together, they set the strategic direction of the charity, monitor the delivery, agree our vision and values and are also responsible for recruiting the CEO.

We’re committed to building a diverse board with broad experience drawn from all facets of the film and TV industries and beyond. They act in accordance with formal terms of reference for the governance of the Board, updated and approved in December 2017.

 

Read our latest Annual Report

You can find out about the structure, governance and management of the charity in its Articles of Association, explained in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

Download Annual Report

Patron, Vice Patrons and Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees meets quarterly. Each trustee serves for a period of three years and at the end of each three-year term, may be re-elected by the Board at the annual retirement meeting (unless they have previously served three terms).

Our 12 current trustees are from various corners of the business, screen and entertainment worlds. They are: Andrew Wilson-Mouasher, Cameron Saunders, Deborah Rozansky, Joseph Adesunloye, Juliet Gilkes Romero, Lori Houlihan, Melanie Tansey, Sara Putt, Steve Jenkins and Suki Gill with John Pike currently elected as Chair.

Our Patron is Her Majesty the Queen and we’re also supported by our Vice Patrons, who include several past Presidents.

 

The charity’s view of governance

In 2018, the Board commissioned a governance review from the Cass Business School Centre for Charity Effectiveness.

The review followed the seven principles of the Charity Commission’s Charity Governance Code for Larger Charities, to help the Board to understand both what it’s doing well and make recommendations for further improvements. Overall, it commended the governance of the charity and we are implementing the recommendations agreed by the Board.

What good governance looks like

The charity has set out the following as what it deems to be good governance:

 

  • The Board of Trustees should advance the Charity’s objects
  • The Board should safeguard the Charity’s assets
  • The Board should ensure the Charity is accountable
  • The Board should properly represent the interests of stakeholders
  • The Board should be effective
  • There should be a clear division of responsibilities
  • The Board should have proper oversight of the Charity
  • The Trustees should be independent and impartial
  • Recruitment of Trustees should be transparent
  • The Board should be trained and inducted

 

Our two committees

The Film and TV Charity currently has two committees:

 

  • The Finance Committee has Suki Gill as Chair, with Steve Jenkins, John Pike and Melanie Tansey as trustee committee members and David Murrell (Past President) as non-Trustee committee member.

 

  • The Appointments and Remuneration Committee has Cameron Saunders as Chair, with John Pike and Melanie Tansey as trustee committee members.

 

Detailed terms of reference for the Board of Trustees and the committees are approved by the Board. The committees act as a liaison between the Board and the management team and report back to the Board at quarterly Trustee meetings. To make sure the charity is able to draw on the widest pool of expertise, our committees may co-opt specialist advisors.

 

Our fundraising polices

We’re committed to our fundraising being legal, open, honest and respectful. If you’d like to know more about our fundraising, you can download our policies here: