Team Type: Board

David Parfitt Chairman

David has worked as an independent film, TV and theatre producer for over 30 years.  His film credits include Henry V, Peter’s Friends, Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness of King George (BAFTA for Outstanding British Film), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Twelfth Night, The Wings of the Dove, Shakespeare in Love (winner of Seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and four BAFTA Awards including Best Film), Gangs of New York, (Production Consultant), I Capture the Castle, Chasing Liberty and A Bunch of Amateurs.  In 2010 he produced the BAFTA nominated My Week with Marilyn followed in 2011 by Tom Stoppard’s award-winning adaptation of Parade’s End for BBC and HBO. David also produced The Wipers Times for BBC2 and two BBC4 documentaries: Glyndebourne: The Untold History and Birth of an Opera. Red Joan starring Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson was released in 2019 and most recently, David produced The Father starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.  The Father was nominated for numerous awards, winning two Oscars and two BAFTAs.

David was Chairman of BAFTA 2008-10 and Chairman of Film London 2010-17 and currently serves as a Governor at Dulwich College, London.

Graeme Thompson MBE

Graeme is Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Relations at the University of Sunderland. His external engagement team at the university looks after media, communications, marketing, stakeholder management, alumni, development and cultural assets – such as the internationally renowned National Glass Centre. He is chair of the Royal Television Society Education Group and also chairs The Cultural Spring community arts project. He represents the North East on the national council for Creative UK and is a board member for The Customs House, the Yorkshire and North East Film and Television Archive and the North East Culture Partnership. He is a member of Arts Council England’s northern area council. His background is as a journalist and TV executive. Before joining the university a decade ago, Graeme was managing director of ITV Tyne Tees following a career as a programme maker, commissioner and BBC radio producer.