News
TheDirectorsUKAGM2019:report
On Wednesday, Directors UK members from across the country arrived at our headquarters in Stukeley Street for the Directors UK AGM 2019.
Undeterred by the grim weather, our members settled down in the Directors UK Members’ Space — a new venue for the AGM — and were introduced to the evening’s proceedings by Directors UK Chair Steve Smith, who then presented our Annual Report.
Download a PDF of our Annual Report here.
Steve looked back at a busy and rewarding year for the organisation. From our campaigns on diversity, gender equality and bullying and harassment, to our blockbuster events programme and range of career development opportunities, Directors UK has been busier than ever. This has run alongside a continuing growth in our membership, and some record distributions. Steve welcomed our new Board Member Morgan Hopkins and the new Directors UK Scottish Working Group, whilst also thanking the Board members who have stepped down in the past year — Karen Kelly, Philippa Collie Cousins and, most recently, Otto Bathurst. Otto has stepped down as Nations and Regions Representative for South West England this week, and has written a message for members that you can read here.
But we also looked ahead to the future, and Steve reiterated the importance of our membership’s support as we seek to protect the future of your rights in a rapidly-evolving media landscape. Furthermore, with Brexit looming, we need to be ready to come together to support the implementation of the EU Copyright directive in UK law, and continue to work closely with other organisations that represent creators’ rights.
Piers Haggard OBE took to the stage next, and updated members on the work of the Directors Charitable Foundation. From the Directors Support Scheme to the Directors in Schools Scheme, the Foundation has gone from strength to strength, and has recently announced a new event with Phyllida Lloyd CBE on Monday 1 July — Directors UK Members can book their places for free here. To cap things off, Piers had a neat suggestion for members: “Remember us in your will!”
Then it was time to talk business. Distribution Committee Chair Dan Zeff took us through another record year in distributions, and encouraged people to join the Distribution Committee if they’d like to get more involved. He also presented some changes to the General Policy of Distribution which members voted to approve. Financial Director Guy Gibbons followed up by talking through our audited accounts and annual transparency report, both of which were then approved by a vote, as was a subsequent motion to re-appoint Berg Kaprow Lewis LLP as auditors.
Following these presentations, our members considered motions pertaining to changes to the Articles of Association, and the proposal for remuneration of the Board. After some spirited debate between members from different genres and stages of their career, votes were added to those collected online and every motion was carried by overwhelming majorities. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote this year, either online or in person at the AGM.
We took a moment to remember the members who have sadly passed away in the last year, before concluding the evening with an update on our Directors Licensing Scheme. Directors UK CEO Andrew Chowns talked through the state of play regarding negotiations on a new UK Rights Agreement, and also with broadcasters and platforms not yet covered by the Agreement. The progress of talks at the time of writing has been provided in a recent newsletter to members, which you can read here.
The clear message of the talk, and of the ensuing discussion amongst the audience, was the need for members to sign the new Collection Agreement and encourage other members to do so. When it comes to sitting down to negotiate, every member signature strengthens our hand.
Finally, it was time to retire to our Board Room for refreshments and the chance to meet and mingle with peers. It was a pleasure to see so many of our members under one roof, and while directing can be an atomised profession, this served as a reminder of the spirit and power that comes from uniting as one organisation.