This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/22/warner-bros-josh-berger-appointed-chair-of-bfi

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Warner Bros' Josh Berger appointed chair of BFI Warner Bros' Josh Berger appointed chair of BFI
(about 2 months later)
Josh Berger has been appointed chair of the British Film Institute , the lead body for film in the UK, succeeding Greg Dyke who is to step down in January.Josh Berger has been appointed chair of the British Film Institute , the lead body for film in the UK, succeeding Greg Dyke who is to step down in January.
Berger is president of the UK offshoot of Warner Bros, a post he has held since 2002 – and has also been president of the Hollywood studio’s Spanish operation since 2009. During his tenure in the UK office, Warner Bros had huge global success with the Harry Potter series of films, which ended in 2010, and subsequently bought Leavesden studios , where they were shot, for £22m. Berger is president of the UK offshoot of Warner Bros, a post he has held since 2002 – and has also been president of the Hollywood studio’s Spanish operation since 2009. During his tenure in the UK office, Warner Bros had huge global success with the Harry Potter series of films, which ended in 2010, and subsequently bought Leavesden studios, where they were shot, for £22m.
The appointment was immediately welcomed by Amanda Nevill , BFI chief executive. She said: “Josh has already contributed so much to British film and the BFI, with extraordinary energy and commitment. I am really confident we will sustain the momentum established under Greg’s leadership, and push ahead with our ambitious future plans.” The appointment was immediately welcomed by Amanda Nevill, BFI chief executive. She said: “Josh has already contributed so much to British film and the BFI, with extraordinary energy and commitment. I am really confident we will sustain the momentum established under Greg’s leadership, and push ahead with our ambitious future plans.”
Related: BFI to lose £1.3m funding over next four years in cutsRelated: BFI to lose £1.3m funding over next four years in cuts
Berger is understood to have been on the government’s shortlist of three, and was heavily tipped to win the job despite some disquiet in the industry about the prospect of a Hollywood studio executive being appointed.Berger is understood to have been on the government’s shortlist of three, and was heavily tipped to win the job despite some disquiet in the industry about the prospect of a Hollywood studio executive being appointed.
Berger, who has lived and worked in the UK since 1996 and been a BFI governor since 2011, said he was “honoured and excited to become chair of this important and dynamic organisation”.Berger, who has lived and worked in the UK since 1996 and been a BFI governor since 2011, said he was “honoured and excited to become chair of this important and dynamic organisation”.
He added: “Our goal is to ensure that the BFI continues protecting and promoting the UK’s thriving film culture and supporting and nurturing the ideas and talent that make up our world-class British film industry, of which we are all so rightly proud.”He added: “Our goal is to ensure that the BFI continues protecting and promoting the UK’s thriving film culture and supporting and nurturing the ideas and talent that make up our world-class British film industry, of which we are all so rightly proud.”
Dyke, a former director general of the BBC and chairman of the Football Association, said: “Josh’s appointment as chair is great news for the BFI and for film in the UK. He has an unwavering enthusiasm for the BFI and the cultural importance of film, having served on the board for the past four years and leading our international fundraising committee to secure vital resources for the archive, so there will be a good level of continuity.Dyke, a former director general of the BBC and chairman of the Football Association, said: “Josh’s appointment as chair is great news for the BFI and for film in the UK. He has an unwavering enthusiasm for the BFI and the cultural importance of film, having served on the board for the past four years and leading our international fundraising committee to secure vital resources for the archive, so there will be a good level of continuity.
“Josh has been at the heart of film in the UK for more than 20 years. He values and understands the spirit of independent film-making alongside the brilliance of our crews and facilities that are all so in demand worldwide. I wish him every success.”“Josh has been at the heart of film in the UK for more than 20 years. He values and understands the spirit of independent film-making alongside the brilliance of our crews and facilities that are all so in demand worldwide. I wish him every success.”
John Whittingdale , the culture secretary, said on announcing the appointment: “I am delighted that Josh is to take over as chair of the BFI next year. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, both as head of a major studio in the UK and as a governor of the BFI for more than four years. I have no doubt he will be a great champion for British film.” John Whittingdale, the culture secretary, said on announcing the appointment: “I am delighted that Josh is to take over as chair of the BFI next year. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, both as head of a major studio in the UK and as a governor of the BFI for more than four years. I have no doubt he will be a great champion for British film.”