AFTRS CEO Neil Peplow.
Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) CEO Neil Peplow will depart his post later this year to return to the UK with his family.
AFTRS chair Russel Howcroft announced Peplow’s resignation today, with the search for a new CEO to begin immediately. Peplow will leave the school mid-year.
“Under Neil’s stewardship, AFTRS has become internationally renowned as a centre of creative excellence and one which, at a time of unprecedented change and opportunity in our industry, is incredibly forward thinking in its approach to screen education. I respect Neil enormously and applaud the work he has done at AFTRS over the past three and a half years. His energy, ideas and dynamism have set the school on an excellent path for the future,” said Howcroft.
“I would also like to acknowledge Neil’s work for the broader screen industry, particularly in the areas of diversity and innovation. I am very sorry to see him depart but wish him and his family well for the future.”
Peplow first joined AFTRS in 2011, where he was the director of screen content until 2014. After departing the school to work as the chief operating officer of the Met Film School in London and Berlin, Peplow returned to AFTRS in 2015 after being appointed CEO. Under his tenure, the school has sought to deepen its connection with industry to ensure its courses remain relevant and future-focused, and made efforts to diversify its talent pipeline.
Minister for the Arts Mitch Fifield said: “Neil has made an exceptional contribution in his time at AFTRS. I would like to thank him for his commitment and his determination. He leaves having secured AFTRS’ reputation as one of the world’s leading screen schools.”
Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner thanked Peplow for his passion and commitment to the Australian screen industry.
“During a period of immense change, Neil has remained steadfast in his commitment to innovative and quality screen education, solidified AFTRS’ reputation nationally and globally, and driven a collaborative and forward thinking agenda with the many and varied parts of our industry.
“Screen Producers Australia has been fortunate to enjoy a close relationship with Neil, both in his capacity as Chair of the Screen Forever Advisory Committees, the inaugural chair and initiator of the Australian Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN), and as an avid supporter of SPA’s policy and educational initiatives, including our Business Essentials workshops and the Screen Production in Australia report. I wish Neil and his family well for their future in the UK.”