PGGB names Wales committee

The Production Guild of Great Britain has named the members of its Wales committee. 

The PGGB announced that it will roll out national and regional committees across the UK last year. Wales is the fourth to be named, following Bristol & South West England, Northern Ireland, and North West England. Scotland and Yorkshire are also expected to have committees named in the coming months.

Each committee will meet a minimum of four times per year and deliver a variety of activities within their area including forums, masterclasses and networking events. PGGB’s Chair and CEO will meet with the six National and Regional Committee Chairs annually as a steering group.

The PGGB Wales Committee is sponsored by Facilities by ADF, Entertainment Partners and Mad Dog 2020 Casting and supported by Bad Wolf/Screen Alliance Wales. It will be chaired by Cardiff-based line producer Edward Rastelli-Lewis, who is currently working on Sexy Beast for Paramount+ and whose other recent credits include BBC drama Life After Life. Vice chairs are Allison Dowzell (managing director, Screen Alliance Wales) and line producer Kathy Nettleship (Willow, A Discovery of Witches). Committee members are: Graham Beswick (CEO, Mad Dog 2020 Casting); Sarah Gooding (chief product officer, Centtrip); and production accountant Mark Strainge (Sanditon, Industry).

Rastelli-Lewis commented: “I’m really pleased to be chairing the Production Guild’s newly established Wales Committee. The crew, studios and facilities we have in Wales are second to none, and the calibre of international film and High-End TV titles being made here is evidence of the strength of Wales’ screen sector right now. I look forward to working with the Guild to ensure that the interests and needs of the Welsh production workforce are fully represented and advocated for in the nationwide context.”

Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO, said: “We are delighted to launch our new PGGB Wales Committee. Each Nation and Region has its own exceptional and distinctive strengths and Wales is no exception, with a prolific production industry that continues to grow and thrive year on year. With our Committee network, we are ensuring that PGGB can present a better-informed voice for professionals working behind the camera all around the UK, who are busier than ever in today’s climate. Thank you to our Wales Committee members and sponsors for bringing their expertise and local knowledge to the table, to help us support the UK-wide workforce.”

Marsden Proctor, managing director, Facilities by ADF, added: “Facilities by ADF are delighted to partner with PGGB on their Wales Committee. The area is reflective of the unprecedented boom in film and High-end TV production across the UK. As a Welsh business, we are extremely passionate about promoting and developing the creative industries in Wales. We are proud to support PGGB’s ongoing work across the Nations and Regions and very much look forward to working with the esteemed members of the committee.”

Beswick said: “Regardless of the numerous challenges facing the Welsh production industry, it continues to excel, and for that, we are delighted to be the supporting partners of the newly formed Wales Committee. We’re excited to champion and support the interests and needs of the Welsh production industry members.’