Pact unveils name of new chair for next two years

Pact has announced the re-appointment of Jane Muirhead, managing director of Raise the Roof Productions, as its chair for the upcoming two-year tenure of 2025-26. Muirhead was elected unopposed during the recent Pact Council elections, continuing her leadership after serving an initial term that began at the end of 2022.

Muirhead co-founded Glasgow-based Raise the Roof Productions, that has since delivered more than 1,000 hours of network television. Among its titles is the property show Kirstie and Phil’s Love it or List It. For three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019, the company has appeared in Broadcast’s Best Places to Work in TV.

In addition to Muirhead’s re-appointment, Pact has confirmed its eleven council members for the 2025-26 term. The members are:

• Jane Kelly, Big Mountain Productions

• Claire Mundell, Synchronicity Films

• Emyr Afan OBE, Afanti

• Kate Beal, Woodcut Media

• Tom Brisley, Arrow Media

• Paul Cohen, Hat Trick Productions

• Laura Crowley, Sister

• Christine Healy, Playground Entertainment

• Jacqueline Moreton, Banijay UK

• Holly Pye, Objective Media Group

• Tim Sealey, Roughcut Television

Pact’s chief executive, John McVay, said of the appointment: “I’m very pleased that Jane will be continuing as Pact Chair for a further two years to help indies weather the current industry challenges. I also welcome the new Pact Council made up of old and new faces with whom I look forward to working with to navigate the continuing uncertainty the sector faces over the next few years.”

Muirhead stressed the significance of collaboration within the Pact Council: “To deliver on Pact’s mission to help make the UK’s independent production sector the most successful in the world, it’s essential to have a strong Council. This allows us to effectively tackle challenges and support both new and existing production companies in navigating domestic and global markets.”

The Pact Council is responsible for overseeing the operations of the trade body, including budget approvals, financial planning, and policy formulation. The members will serve a two-year term ranging from January 2025 to December 2026.