South West Screen appoints Kip Meek as Chair

by SWS on 30-Jun-10 12:59

South West Screen boosts support for new technologies, appointing Kip Meek as Chair

South West Screen, the development agency for creative media, is delighted to welcome digital media expert, Kip Meek, as its new chair.

Kip, who is also a board member of Ingenious Media and Chair of the Ingenious Consulting Network, joins South West Screen as it prepares to unveil iNets, a £3.2m three year programme to promote innovation, knowledge sharing and export initiatives in the South West.

Kip Meek is well-placed to advise South West Screen as it seeks to boost its support for digital media businesses in the region. Ingenious Media is a market leader in media investment and strategy, and, as Chair of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Kip is already engaged with advising the Government on broadband issues. He is also a director of the RadioCentre, the body representing commercial radio in the UK, and of Phorm.

South West Screen’s mission is to enable as many people from across the region to have access to a wide range of film, television and digital media content. Whilst the organization has notched up successes catering for consumers – such as being chosen to lead the UK Film Council’s Rural Cinema Pilot project for Wiltshire – the addition of Kip will boost South West Screen’s engagement with the business community.

Kip Meek says: “South West Screen has a strong track record in facilitating citizen engagement, of which the Rural Cinema Pilot is just one example. I’m keen to see whether South West Screen can develop even stronger links into that part of the business community that is associated with the creative industries in the south west. I believe we have a key role to play in providing businesses with the right sort of environment to thrive.”

Caroline Norbury, South West Screen’s Chief Executive, says: “I am thrilled Kip has agreed to join South West Screen at this time. In the current climate, as South West Screen seeks to diversify its funding streams, Kip’s experience and expertise will be invaluable in engaging with the growing digital media sector in the region, ensuring the South West is at the forefront of development in this most exciting of industries.”

Kip takes over from Roger Laughton CBE, who steps down after chairing South West Screen for six years.

Media and radio expert, Travis Baxter and economist, Sarah Forster, also join the board of South West Screen at this time, bringing fresh insights and expertise from their careers at organisations including Scottish Radio Holdings, EMAP, Bauer Media, Big Issue Invest, New Economics Foundation and the World Bank respectively.

Tagged:SWS Press Release, Kip Meek, South West Screen