Published: 09 Jan 2018
Natalie Usher, Director of Screen at Creative Scotland, will step down in March 2018.
Natalie Usher joined Creative Scotland in May 2014. Since that time, she has played a pivotal leadership role in Creative Scotland’s support for, and development of, the Screen Sector and her work has been key to achieving the record levels of Film and TV production spend that Scotland is currently experiencing.
As well as supporting this growth in Film and TV production, over the past four years Natalie and her team have also successfully delivered work to support film education, skills and talent development, exhibition and audience development and improvements to equality, diversity and inclusion in Scotland’s Screen Sector. She has also worked closely with partners to help secure £10m of new investment into the Screen Sector, from the Scottish Government, via a new screen unit to be set up within Creative Scotland and operational by 1 April 2018.
In a statement Natalie Usher said: "It has been a privilege to work towards achieving the ambitions for the industry set out in Creative Scotland’s Film Strategy with the brilliant Screen Team and Scotland’s incredible talent. I joined the organisation at what was a challenging time for film and TV in Scotland, and leave when we have secured vital government commitment and financial support. It's an exciting time of change and possibility. I wish the whole organisation the very best for the years to come."
Janet Archer, Creative Scotland Chief Executive said: “Natalie's work with our screen team has stimulated major new opportunities locally and globally for Scotland’s screen sector. Over the past four years she has transformed Creative Scotland’s approach to supporting screen and established a strong foundation for the future. We are very sorry to see her step down and wish her well for the future.”
Creative Scotland will recruit a new Director of Screen and, in addition, an Executive Director, Creative Enterprise who will lead the new screen unit; set up in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government.
