Meabh O'Donovan Appointed Head of NFTS Leeds
Meabh O’Donovan has been appointed as the Head of NFTS Leeds. The NFTS announced in July that it would open a hub in Leeds following the successful launch of NFTS Scotland in Glasgow. NFTS Leeds is due to open in January 2020 with Meabh taking up her role at the beginning of December.
Meabh has worked in the film and education sector for the last 25 years and joins from her most recent position as Development and Marketing Manager for Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre.
Meabh commented: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Head of NFTS Leeds. The television, games and film industries in the North are so robust at the moment, we have Channel 4 moving to Leeds, Screen Yorkshire going from strength to strength and a lot of independent film and television production happening. Having worked in Yorkshire for the last 20 years, I am passionate about opportunities for local talent, so having NFTS Leeds here offering the same level of world class quality training the NFTS is renowned for means we can guarantee there is a local skilled workforce to meet the demands of a thriving industry.”
Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: “At the NFTS we are committed to ensuring we deliver on our remit of providing high calibre, job ready graduates to serve the regions. With Meabh’s extensive knowledge of the industry in Yorkshire and beyond, alongside her creativity and passion for nurturing talent, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board as Head of NFTS Leeds.”
NFTS Leeds is part of the School’s ongoing strategy to support the growth of film and television production outside London and is supported by NFTS Platinum Partner, Channel 4 whose new HQ will be based in the city as well as ITV, who also have a production base in the City, BFI, Screen Yorkshire and ScreenSkills.
NFTS Leeds will specifically work to address gaps in existing provision by delivering courses other providers aren’t currently offering in the area such as: Production Accounting, Script Editing, Craft Skills, Location Management and Factual Development.