The winner was announced at a ceremony attended by The Duke of Edinburgh

The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) has revealed that the winner of its third annual Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award is The Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation.

PGGB Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented Nicola Lees, Laurily Adams and Kelly Spearman from the trainee scheme and foundation with the award last night (Monday 24 March) at PGGB’s Talent Showcase, at The InterContinental Hotel in London, hosted in association with The Walt Disney Studios and supported by Sargent-Disc.

The initiative was launched in 2022, to highlight the work of organisations or individuals in production who are helping to create and nurture talent inclusion in the UK screen-sector workforce. The winner was chosen by a jury led by PGGB’s equality, diversity & inclusion committee.

Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation was founded 12 years ago to support new and diverse talent and was created by the independent agency that represents behind-the-camera production and technical talent.

The Duke of Edinburgh said: “Many of these individuals and organisations have existed for years, delivering incredibly important work and it takes a platform like this, to really shine a light on the importance of creating opportunity for those who have the talent but maybe not the connections and access to the industry.”

Sara Putt, founder and MD of Sara Putt Associates commented: “We feel incredibly honoured, very moved, and touched that people have thought to nominate us for this award. We are admirers and supporters of the Production Guild of Great Britain, and have been for many years, so we’re very aware of this award and, honestly, we’re all hugely surprised and incredibly delighted.”

“We are in such amazing company – the finalists this year are all fantastic. We’re all family and everybody’s trying to achieve the same goals of making the industry a better place. As my colleague Nicola wisely says, ‘Sara, we’re not trying to boil the ocean. We’re just trying to make a corner of it a little warmer.’ I think an award like this really helps in that work. Thank you.”

Chair of PGGB, Bianca Gavin, added: “It is an honour to celebrate the winner and finalists of PGGB’s Talent Inclusion Award presented by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, highlighting their innovative and inspiring work to support career development of those who may otherwise face barriers. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their impact and build more engagement for the future.”