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PEOPLE UK

Fiona Cookson to join BFI as director of external affairs

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- New appointee brings 13 years of government experience with her

Fiona Cookson to join BFI as director of external affairs

The British Film Institute (BFI) has appointed Fiona Cookson to the new role of director of external affairs, a new BFI directorate that incorporates Film Policy, Creative Europe Desk UK, the BFI Research and Statistics Unit, BFI Certification Unit, and Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. She will join at the end of September.

Cookson is currently the head of external relations and press secretary to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. She began her government career at the Home Office, providing media advice to Home Secretaries and senior ministers on issues like terrorism, immigration, crime and policing. From there, she moved to the Department of Health, where she was chief press officer, delivering a campaign to support the reform of the National Health Service.

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Cookson said, “After 13 years in government, it is a thrill to be moving into an organisation that combines the best of public service with the best of individual enterprise, expression and creativity. The BFI is a powerful champion for British film at a time when the industry is enjoying such commercial and critical success. I am really looking forward to being part of the team that does such a great job serving filmmakers and audiences across the UK.”

BFI CEO Amanda Nevill said, “Fiona’s appointment comes as UK film is riding high both culturally and commercially, and she joins us at an exciting and dynamic moment as we work to build on this success by developing ambitious and exciting plans to support film companies, champion filmmakers and inspire audiences.”

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