The DCMS has announced that Jay Hunt has been appointed as the new chair of the British Film Institute (BFI) for a term of four years, with effect from 16 February.

Hunt is currently the creative director for Apple TV+ in Europe and has been a governor of the BFI since 2020; she also served on the Board of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Her high-profile career also includes roles at Channel 4 (chief creative officer), controller of BBC One and director of programmes at Channel 5. Her commissions include: Bad Sisters, Slow Horses, Luther, Sherlock, Black Mirror, Derry Girls, Catastrophe and Gogglebox.

Hunt said of her appointment: “The BFI plays such a vital role in supporting great British storytellers and I’m delighted I’ll be chairing the organisation at such an exciting and challenging time. I’m passionate about the quality and range of film and TV we produce in the UK and look forward to championing it on the world stage.”

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer added: “Film is at the heart of the UK’s thriving creative industries, and the BFI plays an important role maximising the potential of our world-leading screen sectors. Jay’s wealth of experience championing British content makes her an exceptional Chair to lead the BFI in the years ahead.”

BFI chief executive Ben Roberts remarked: “I’m thrilled that Jay has been appointed Chair of the BFI. As a BFI Governor, Jay has been a passionate advocate for both the BFI and the UK film sector. With her incredible breadth of experience in leadership across broadcasting and global streaming, she steps into this role with a very rare combination of an innate understanding of the power and potential of what public service organisations can deliver as well as being acutely commercial.

“I’m really looking forward to working with her and am confident she will take us boldly into the future, holding us to our commitments in Screen Culture 2033 to transform access to our programmes, screen culture and jobs across the UK.”

Jay Hunt image via BFI.