Ingenious' Kip Meek joins South West Screen

UK regional agency South West Screen has appointed the director of UK financing power house Ingenious Media as its new chair.

Kip Meek, who is also chair of Ingenious’s Consulting Network and Broadband Stakeholding Group, takes over from Roger Laughton, who is stepping down after six years.

He joins South West Screen as it prepares to unveil iNets, a $4.8m (£3.2m) three year programme to promote innovation, knowledge sharing and export initiatives in the South West region of the UK.

The agency, which was recently chosen to lead the UK Film Council’s Rural Cinema Pilot project for the county of Wiltshire, is hoping that the appointment will boost its engagement with the business community.  

Meek said: “South West Screen has a strong track record in facilitating citizen engagement, of which the Rural Cinema Pilot is just one example. I’m keen to see whether South West Screen can develop even stronger links into that part of the business community that is associated with the creative industries in the south west. I believe we have a key role to play in providing businesses with the right sort of environment to thrive.”

Caroline Norbury, South West Screen’s chief executive, added “I am thrilled Kip has agreed to join South West Screen at this time. In the current climate, as South West Screen seeks to diversify its funding streams, Kip’s experience and expertise will be invaluable in engaging with the growing digital media sector in the region, ensuring the South West is at the forefront of development in this most exciting of industries.”

Also joining the SW Screen board are media and radio expert Travis Baxter and economist Sarah Forster.