BAFTA Appoints Hilary Rosen as New Chair, Reshapes Board of Trustees

A New Era for BAFTA Leadership

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has officially announced the appointment of Hilary Rosen as its new chair. Rosen, who previously served as the organization's deputy chair, succeeds Sara Putt, who is stepping down following a successful three-year tenure. In her new role, Rosen will oversee the academy's mission to champion talent across the film, games, and television sectors through its awards, industry advocacy, and development programs.

Professional Background and Strategic Vision

Rosen brings significant industry experience to the position. Outside of her work with the academy, she serves as the director of commissioning at UKTV, where she leads the network's original scripted and unscripted content slate. Her history with BAFTA is extensive; she has been a member of its television committee since 2021, eventually serving as its chair, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the TV and Craft Awards and overseeing their respective juries.

Expressing her commitment to the role, Rosen stated, "I have long been passionate about everything BAFTA does to promote the screen arts and champion talent across the screen industries, so it is a great privilege to take on the role of BAFTA chair."

Organizational Restructuring

Alongside the appointment of Rosen, BAFTA has finalized several other key leadership changes to its board of trustees:

* **Deputy Chairs:** Ade Rawcliffe and Andrew Miller have been appointed to serve two-year terms as deputy chairs. * **Games Committee:** Charu Desdot, a studio director with over 25 years of industry experience and a former BAFTA Breakthrough recipient, takes over as chair. * **Television Committee:** Caroline Levy, an experienced scripted producer known for her work with the BBC and Paramount, will lead the committee. * **LIT Committee:** Nahrein Kemp, who serves as ITV’s DEI and talent lead, has been appointed to chair the Learning, Inclusion, and Talent committee. * **Governance and Appointments:** Shrina Shah, currently serving as the chair of the governance and appointments committee, will join the board of trustees.

Impact on the Industry

The board’s new composition brings together leaders with deep roots in diversity, production, and high-level strategy. These appointments are expected to influence how BAFTA navigates industry challenges, including the ongoing evolution of global content production and the academy’s commitment to inclusive talent development. Readers interested in the organization's formal announcements and upcoming program schedules can verify these leadership updates directly through the academy's official communication channels.

Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/bafta-hilary-rosen-chair-1236932128/