Training body’s chief executive set to depart in mid-August

Laura Mansfield will exit her role as chief executive of ScreenSkills in August.

ScreenSkills chair Lisa Opie will step in as executive chair and, with the support of the senior leadership team and chief operating officer Matt Fox, will provide leadership continuity until Mansfield’s successor is appointed.  

Mansfield joined the training body in 2024 and established its five-year strategy, focusing on developing a highly skilled and well-trained workforce and addressing skills gaps and shortages. This strategy was designed in collaboration with the wider screen industry to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce, responsive to emerging technologies and a collaborative approach to skills provision. 

She instigated several major research initiatives that have shone a light on the state of the workforce across the UK, including Sizing Up: Workforce Composition and Capacity in the Screen Industries and Powering Production – Identifying skills needs in the UK’s screen industry.  

During her tenure, the ScreenSkills Training Passport grew from a pilot into a widely recognised tool for showing professional development and she has also worked to expand ScreenSkills’ direct and third-party AI training for the industry. She was also a champion of the Discover Creative Careers programme, which ScreenSkills led in partnership with 17 industry organisations across creative industries, reaching over 146,000 young people. 

Last year ScreenSkills supported almost 34,000 people, with reach beyond London growing to 67%. 

In the last financial year income grew by 14%, with 2026/27 set to see over £20m invested in support of beneficiaries across the sector.  

She chaired the Creative Industry Council Skills Audit Industry steering group, supporting cross sector collaboration on data and research.  

Mansfield said: “Our five-year strategy set out an ambitious direction, and I am immensely proud of how far the team and I have come in delivering it. Our UK-wide approach ensures that talent development reaches every corner of the country. The foundations for the next phase are in place, and I leave ScreenSkills in great shape to build on them.” 

Opie added: “As the screen sector faces rapid change driven by technology, market shifts and evolving audience expectations, ScreenSkills’ role is more crucial than ever. Laura has revitalised ScreenSkills and led us through the first and most critical phase of that mission with energy, passion, skill, and dedication. 

“The sector is better placed to face those challenges because of her work. The board of trustees and I are very grateful to her and wish her every success.”