Film Agency for Wales appoints Gubbins as chair

Journalist and film consultant Michael Gubbins has been named as the new chairman of the Film Agency for Wales.

He replaces Peter Edwards whose term ends this summer. The agency confirmed that Gubbins won’t be based in Wales, but will travel there regularly.

Gubbins held the post of editor of Screen International from 2004-2009, before going on to set up a consultancy company, MCG Film and Media, specialising in digital content.

His Welsh connections include holding the post of news editor of the South Wales Evening Post in Swansea, directing a short film in Cardiff, and studying at the University of Glamorgan.

Gubbins said he was “Looking forward to working with the chief executive Pauline Burt and the excellent team at FAW, and with the other members of an experienced board, in ensuring that film in Wales makes its mark at home on the international stage.”

Peter Edwards added: “This is a time of great importance for the Welsh film sector with new opportunities arising through increased lottery funding post-Olympics; newly defined strategic priorities from the BFI; and significant on-going change to business models, with increased digital uptake.”