John McVay, the head of UK producer trade body Pact for the past 25 years, is stepping down.
McVay will continue to be employed by Pact until the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026 depending on how the recruitment and handover process progresses. McVay will be retained for a further period to give strategic advice to the new CEO and also lead in the short to medium term on all of Pact’s political and campaigning work. A working group has been set up to find his replacement and has contracted Quicksmith to support the search and recruitment.
McVay’s work has been integral to a vast number of sweeping changes that have taken place in the UK TV production sector over the last two decades.
“After 25 fantastic years at the helm of Pact, the time has come for John to take a step back and for us to begin the search for his replacement,” said Pact Chair Jane Muirhead. “The shoes will be tough to fill, but we are confident that the process will find the right person, and that a smooth transition will take place to ensure that members continue to receive the exceptional standard of service they have received over the past 25 years.”
Pact, which represents hundreds of UK producers, has been run by McVay since the turn of the Millennium.
He has been behind major structural changes in UK TV, including the gamechanging Terms of Trade, which allowed production outfits to hold IP for the first time and had a huge impact on the landscape. This saw the sector “grow from a cottage industry to a £3.6B ($4.9B) success story,” Pact said today.
He has since fought tirelessly on behalf of his members, sometimes butting heads with broadcasters as the industry and viewing habits have changed enormously. Other major campaigns McVay has worked on include tax credits for the high-end TV and film sector and the Production Restart Scheme, which helped indies get back to work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He is an ever present at UK festivals and markets and has given evidence to multiple committee hearings.
Attention will soon turn to McVay’s replacement for what is undoubtedly one of the biggest jobs in UK production. Evidenced by McVay’s lengthy tenure, the opportunity does not come around very often.
