Former BBC executive Dr Paul Gerhardt to lead BFI’s education programme.

The BFI has appointed Dr Paul Gerhardt to the role director of education, commencing September 2.

Gerhardt will be tasked with developing and implementing the BFI’s growing education programmes, fostering new educational strategic partnerships, including higher education, and working closely with the BFI research and curatorial programmes. He will report to the BFI’s deputy CEO Tim Cagney.

Currently running the independent consultancy Archives for Creativity, Gerhardt’s past roles include include controller of adult learning at the BBC, project director of the Creative Archive Project and head of commissioning at the BBC / Open University.

Cagney said: “Paul couldn’t have joined the BFI at a more dynamic and transformative time for film education – at the BFI and across the UK. He has an extraordinary track record having worked across the film, education, broadcasting and archive sectors and is a leading figure in educational research and development as well as having an in-depth and hands-on knowledge of the creative side of film.

“With education firmly at the heart of the BFI’s future strategy I am confident that Paul will help drive forward opportunities to achieve our big ambitions in this area.”