Screen Yorkshire has appointed Annabel Grundy as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Industry Engagement, strengthening its team as it begins delivering its new Screen Sector Growth Strategy 2026–29.
Annabel will help develop the relationships and investment needed to support Yorkshire’s screen industry, talent and workforce, working with partners across industry, education and the public sector.
Her appointment supports the strategy’s ambition to retain more of the creative and economic value generated by the screen industries within Yorkshire. Alongside attracting production, the plan prioritises helping regional companies originate content, retain intellectual property and build sustainable businesses and careers.
Annabel brings more than 20 years’ experience across UK and international film organisations, including roles with Sheffield DocFest, the BFI and the British Council. As Managing Director of Sheffield DocFest, her responsibilities included partnerships, fundraising, business affairs and audience development.
Previously, she helped establish and launch the BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund, supporting international opportunities for the UK screen sector through co-production, business development and film sales. Her earlier work with the BFI Film Audience Network included delivering UK-wide programmes to grow audiences for independent cinema.
At Screen Yorkshire, she will bring that experience to developing partnerships that connect the region’s creative strengths with new opportunities for funding, collaboration and business growth.
Caroline Cooper Charles, Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire, said: “Our growth strategy sets out a clear ambition for Yorkshire: a screen sector where businesses can grow, people can build lasting careers and more of the value created here is retained at a local level. Strong partnerships are essential to making that happen.
“Annabel brings an excellent understanding of the industry, experience of working with funders and partners, and a strong commitment to the region. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team as we turn those ambitions into practical opportunities for Yorkshire’s screen community.”
Annabel Grundy said: “Yorkshire has extraordinary creative talent and a screen industry with enormous potential. Having worked both within the region and internationally, I’ve seen what can happen when people and organisations come together around a shared ambition.
“I’m delighted to join Screen Yorkshire at this point in its development. I look forward to working with existing partners and building new relationships that help the region’s talent and businesses access opportunities, develop their ideas and thrive.”
Annabel’s recruitment to Screen Yorkshire’s senior management team is the most recent in a raft of new appointments bolstering the team as it begins to deliver on the ambitions of the growth strategy. These include Maya Bewley as Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Charlotte Carrick as Talent Coordinator and Olivia Kershaw as Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator. Olivia Kelly replaces Fiona Hewlett in the role of Executive Assistant.
