Mentor
Amanda Nevill CBE
Overview
Amanda Nevill CBE has spent more than three decades at the heart of the global screen industries, most notably as CEO of the British Film Institute (BFI), the UK’s lead body for film and the moving image. Reporting to government and acting as a key voice for both domestic and international production, she played a central role in shaping the overall ecosystem that underpins the UK’s position as one of the world’s most creatively vibrant and commercially successful territories for film and television.
At the BFI, Amanda led a comprehensive modernisation that brought together the responsibilities of the former UK Film Council into a single, more efficient organisation, aligning cultural, artistic and commercial priorities. She spearheaded the first holistic, long-term strategy for film and television in the UK, balancing support for creative risk-taking with the need for international competitiveness, inward investment and sustainable infrastructure.
A visionary in digital and audience engagement, Amanda raised the funds and oversaw the transformation of the National Film Archive, opening up its collections to the public at scale for the first time. Anticipating the impact of digital distribution on cultural institutions, she championed the creation of BFI Player, making the BFI the first public organisation in the world to launch its own streaming platform and placing digital reach at the centre of its future strategy. Under her leadership, the National Lottery funding model for film was simplified and refocused on emerging talent, contributing to a strong run of BFI-backed films winning or competing at major festivals including Cannes and Venice. She also helped elevate the BFI London Film Festival into a globally recognised platform, serving both as a launchpad for international filmmakers and a flagship moment in the UK cultural calendar.
Inclusion and social mobility have been consistent themes in Amanda’s leadership. She founded the BFI Film Academy to identify and develop young talent from across the UK who might not otherwise have access to the industry, backed by studios and sector partners. She also recognised the importance of robust, diversified funding for film and helped establish a new EIS fund in partnership with Calculus Capital, which has since built a strong investment portfolio in the sector.
Since stepping back from executive work in 2020, Amanda has built a portfolio of strategic advisory and board roles in the UK and internationally, bringing her experience in leadership, innovation and creative industries governance to a range of organisations.
Amanda brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• Film, television & screen culture – leading the UK’s national body for film and the moving image.
• Strategy, transformation & digital innovation – modernising institutions, launching BFI Player and redefining funding and audience models.
• Public policy, funding & stakeholder management – working at the interface of government, industry, investors and cultural organisations.
• Governance & international advisory – portfolio of board and advisory roles across the creative and wider cultural sectors.
In 2016 she was awarded a CBE for her contribution to the UK film industry.
PDF Profile
Download PDFMajor Career Roles
British Film Institute
CEO
Science Museum Group
Head National Museum & Executive Director
Royal Photographic Society
CEO & Company Secretary
Other Career Highlights
Olsberg/SPI Ltd
Special Advisor
MARLOW Studios
Special Advisor
University of York
Board
Government UK Creative Industries Council Deputy Chair, London Film School
Board
KSA Film Commission
Board
Access to an unmatched roster of world-class Mentors
Our unrivalled global roster of board chairs and CEOs offers the seasoned wisdom of proven world-class leaders. Explore this rich array of talent and connect with us to begin a mentoring journey shaped around your leadership context.
