Screen Producers Australia (SPA) president Chris Oliver-Taylor and vice president Ben Grant will step down ahead of scheduled elections for new council members.
Nominations for the president and vice-precident positions will open July 8, while nominations for council members open August 26.
Oliver-Taylor and Grant have been members of the SPA council for four and five years respectively.
“Our industry needs leadership from people like Chris and Ben who are prepared to volunteer their time, energy and wisdom to organisations such as SPA in order to help grow the sector,” said SPA CEO Matt Deaner.
“On a personal note, I would like to thank Chris and Ben for their support when I was appointed CEO and for their wise counsel over the years. They have served SPA with diligence and distinction and we are a better organisation for their contribution.”
Deaner said the screen industry needed thoughtful leadership from its members across the sector, including the SPA council, in order to develop cohesive industry and policy frameworks.
Oliver-Taylor, managing director of Matchbox Pictures, said he was honoured to have been the president of SPA and to have served on its council.
“I would like to sincerely thank my vice president Ben Grant, and my many colleagues around the council table for their advice and support across that time. It is vital that SPA continues to ensure a strong production sector in Australia, working with all stakeholders to actively increase opportunities for producers across all areas of content production. I wish Matt and his exceptional management team all the best for the future,” said Oliver-Taylor.
Grant, the managing director of Goalpost Pictures Australia, said: “SPA is the peak industry body in our sector and I am proud to have served on the organisation’s leadership team with outgoing president Chris Oliver-Taylor. Chris has made an invaluable contribution over his time on council. I am confident that I leave my position with the organisation on a solid footing and in the hands of a talented and dedicated team under Matthew Deaner.”
Oliver-Taylor and Grant said the past two years have seen SPA build membership and take a leadership position on advocating for a comprehensive policy framework from government at a time of immense change and opportunity for the industry.
Both Oliver-Taylor and Grant will continue as active members of SPA.