Pact begins search for new CEO as John McVay announces plan to stand down

UK producers’ association Pact is hunting for a new CEO after John McVay announced his intention to stand down after nearly 25 years in the role.

John McVay

McVay will depart later this year and Pact says plans have been put in place to implement an exit strategy and to ensure a smooth transition with a new CEO.

A working group has been established to oversee the plans, consisting of key people who together have over 15 years of experience of being on the Pact Council and have all worked closely with McVay.

McVay will continue to be employed by Pact until the end of 2025/beginning of 2026 depending on how the recruitment/handover process progresses, the organisation said today.

He will undertake a handover and 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.

The working group has contracted Quicksmith to support the search and recruitment.

During his time at Pact, McVay has led a number of successful political lobbying campaigns, including the implementation of the Terms of Trade, a key part of the Communications Act 2003 which enabled independent production companies to retain their IP for the first time. He has repeatedly defended the Terms of Trade against potential amendment/removal on many occasions over the 25 years.

John was also instrumental in campaigning for the introduction and subsequent increases in the Tax Credits for the Children’s, HETV and Film sectors, as well as the hugely successful Production Restart Scheme which enabled production companies to get back to work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

More recently he fought the proposed privatisation of public broadcaster Channel 4.

Pact chair and CEO of Raise The Roof Productions, Jane Muirhead, said: “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.

“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.”