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LONDON — Former BBC executive Jane Lush has been named chair of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, succeeding Anne Morrison. Lush has been deputy chair for the past year; her tenure as chair will run for two years.
Lush’s promotion, announced at BAFTA‘s annual general meeting on Monday, was anticipated as it is BAFTA’s practice to move up its deputy chair to chair. Also in line with BAFTA tradition, Morrison will now serve as deputy chair for one year.
Lush was a factual program-maker at the BBC, eventually becoming controller of daytime, launching hit shows such as “Weakest Link” and the drama series “Doctors.” She went on to become the BBC’s controller of entertainment and comedy, overseeing a budget of £200 million ($292 million) and commissioning a range of BAFTA-winning series including “Strictly Come Dancing,” “The Apprentice,” “The Catherine Tate Show,” “Dragons’ Den” and “Have I Got News for You.” She was part of the BBC Television Board, shaping its channel strategy, managing talent and revitalizing programming.
Since leaving the BBC, she has been working in the independent sector, and is currently running Kalooki Pictures and co-producing with Hat Trick Productions.
Lush paid tribute to Morrison who had taken BAFTA “from strength to strength.” “It’s exciting to build on all of those achievements, ensuring BAFTA stays ahead of the curve by continually enhancing our gold-standard award ceremonies, and attracting the brightest and the best to our membership, while expanding diversity across all our activity. I would also hope to extend our reach to younger up-and-coming talent through our excellent year-round program of events.”
