She will represent the academy’s television work alongside fellow vice president Duncan Kenworthy who represents film.

Sophie Turner Laing has been appointed as vice president of BAFTA. She succeeds Michael Grade CBE.

Turner Laing, who is the managing director of entertainment, news and broadcast operations at Sky, will represent BAFTA’s work on the television side. She will work alongside BAFTA’s other vice president Dunan Kenworthy who looks after film.

A BAFTA member since 2001, she has served as director of BAFTA Management Ltd as well as chairing the commercial committee.

BAFTA’s chairman, Tim Corrie, said the academy was “delighted to welcome Sophie Turner Laing to the role of Vice President.  Sophie’s influential television career, coupled with her dedication to the Academy, will make her a great ambassador of cultural excellence and I very much look forward to working with her. 

He went on to thank Michael Grade who “who dedicated six years to the role of supporting and championing BAFTA’s charitable activity in developing the art forms of the moving image.’