Press Release
TOM TOUMAZIS MBE AND ALEXANDER JACOB JOIN DIRECTORS UK BOARD
19 May 2022
Directors UK is pleased to announce two new recent additions to the Board, Tom Toumazis MBE joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director, and Alexander Jacob has been co-opted as Nations and Regions Committee Chair.
Tom Toumazis has held senior roles in the film and entertainment world at ITV, The Walt Disney Company, Eurosport, Endemol Shine and Yahoo! He has a portfolio of directorships focused in technology, media and the arts, and is also Non-Executive Director of PRS for Music, where he has had extensive experience of rights negotiations.
Speaking of his appointment to the board, Tom said: “I’m very excited to be joining Directors UK. I know how important it is to secure the right value for creatives and their works, not least from my time working closely with Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower in his former role in licensing at PRS for Music. I’m looking forward to playing my part in ensuring directors are fairly rewarded for their work.”
Andy Harrower, Directors UK CEO said: “I’m looking forward to working with Tom again. Not only is he passionate about film and television, he brings a commercial expertise which will be invaluable to us as we head into some significant negotiations over the next few years.”
Alexander Jacob is an established director currently working in continuing and children’s drama, having worked across different levels of the film and TV industry since the 1990s. Based in South Manchester, Alexander is keen to achieve equity in the industry – not just of race and gender but also of region. His credits include The Dumping Ground, Casualty, 4 O’Clock Club and Hollyoaks.
On his appointment to the Board, Alexander said: “I am delighted to have been co-opted to the Directors UK board. I’m looking forward to doing my part to keep pushing Directors UK forward as a dynamic and involved organisation.”
Andy Harrower added: “It’s really important that directors are represented, wherever they live and work in the UK. As Nations and Regions Committee Chair, Alexander occupies a seat on the Board that is dedicated to voicing the concerns and sharing the experience of directors working outside London and the South East. I am excited to be working with him, and the rest of the Board, to ensure we continue to be the voice of directors across the UK.”
Tom Toumazis has held senior roles in the film and entertainment world at ITV, The Walt Disney Company, Eurosport, Endemol Shine and Yahoo! He has a portfolio of directorships focused in technology, media and the arts, and is also Non-Executive Director of PRS for Music, where he has had extensive experience of rights negotiations.
Speaking of his appointment to the board, Tom said: “I’m very excited to be joining Directors UK. I know how important it is to secure the right value for creatives and their works, not least from my time working closely with Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower in his former role in licensing at PRS for Music. I’m looking forward to playing my part in ensuring directors are fairly rewarded for their work.”
Andy Harrower, Directors UK CEO said: “I’m looking forward to working with Tom again. Not only is he passionate about film and television, he brings a commercial expertise which will be invaluable to us as we head into some significant negotiations over the next few years.”
Alexander Jacob is an established director currently working in continuing and children’s drama, having worked across different levels of the film and TV industry since the 1990s. Based in South Manchester, Alexander is keen to achieve equity in the industry – not just of race and gender but also of region. His credits include The Dumping Ground, Casualty, 4 O’Clock Club and Hollyoaks.
On his appointment to the Board, Alexander said: “I am delighted to have been co-opted to the Directors UK board. I’m looking forward to doing my part to keep pushing Directors UK forward as a dynamic and involved organisation.”
Andy Harrower added: “It’s really important that directors are represented, wherever they live and work in the UK. As Nations and Regions Committee Chair, Alexander occupies a seat on the Board that is dedicated to voicing the concerns and sharing the experience of directors working outside London and the South East. I am excited to be working with him, and the rest of the Board, to ensure we continue to be the voice of directors across the UK.”
About Directors UK
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of 8,000 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of 8,000 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
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