Jobs under threat as Screen Yorkshire starts staff review
Fifteen jobs are at risk at Screen Yorkshire after the regional screen agency confirmed it is entering a consultation process with "a number of staff" regarding the future of their posts.
Screen Yorkshire announced the move this morning and admitted it was "facing difficult times" as the government's public funding cuts take hold.
The regional screen agency, which works to support and promote the region's film, television, games and interactive media sectors, said it had a number of ongoing contracts that it would honour over the next 12 months.
It has not yet confirmed how many staff are affected by the consultation, but the move echoes that of its north west counterpart, Vision+Media, where more than 25 posts are under review.
[Screen Yorkshire has since told The Drum that 15 roles are under review. See update below.]
Sally Joynson, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, said: "We are facing challenging times and reviewing the staffing of the organisation to ensure future stability and support for the region's industry is a prudent move. Screen Yorkshire is looking at a number of options for the future, including a restructure of the organisation to reflect changing market conditions.
"It has been an incredibly busy period for Screen Yorkshire, with the team continuing to work tirelessly behind the scenes to build a global reputation for the region’s film, television, games and interactive media industries. The team handles over 500 filming enquiries every year from across the world, supporting an incredibly diverse range of production in Yorkshire, from the award winning King’s Speech to the critically acclaimed This is England ’86."
Screen Yorkshire, along with Vision+Media and seven other regional screen agencies, is due to become part of a consolidated organisation called Creative England. Screen Yorkshire welcomed the plans when they were first proposed in November.
UPDATE
Screen Yorkshire has now confirmed to The Drum that 15 jobs are under review.
A spokesperson said: "There are fifteen posts under review within the current restructure proposals, which also include plans for a number of new roles within the organisation. Screen Yorkshire is now undertaking a consultation period with all staff in order to consider these proposals.
"Whilst the outcome under the proposed restructure would result in a reduced headcount at the organisation, we are unable to comment further until the consultation is concluded."