EXCLUSIVE: Former Film London executive joins UK funder which is riding high following Toronto successes.

Lady Macbeth

UK funder Creative England, whose previous credits include 45 Years and Spooks: The Greater Good, has appointed former Film London executive producer Brek Taylor as its new head of film.

Taylor, who joined the organisation last week, takes over from Caroline Cooper Charles.

Taylor co-directed 2011 Glasgow Film Festival feature The Island, which starred Natalie Press, Colin Morgan and Janet McAteer. The title, made under Taylor’s production banner Tailormade Productions, was acquired by Soda Pictures for the UK.

Having started out in theatre, she has worked on documentaries for National Geographic’s ‘Explorer’s Journal’ and a 24-hour international Shakespeare theatre event involving 35 countries.

Caroline Norbury MBE, chief executive of Creative England, said in a statement to Screen: “We’re delighted to welcome Brek Taylor to Creative England as our new Head of Film, bringing her 15 years experience directing and producing in theatre, television and film, working with some of the industry’s key players including the BBC, C4, the British Council, Film London and the European Capital of Culture. 

“We’re incredibly impressed with her plans and ambition for the role, and are looking forward to sharing these in the coming weeks.”

The film and TV financier is currently riding high following the autumn festival successes of two of its low-budget iFeatures projects: Lady Macbeth, which was picked up by Roadside Attractions for the US during Toronto, and The Levelling, whose distributors include Peccadillo in the UK.

However, Taylor joins the organisation as it also looks to build stability following staff reductions to its film operation earlier in the year.