Sally Joynson
Non-Executive Director
Sally Joynson is a high-profile and well respected figure in the film and TV industry in Yorkshire.
Sally spent 16 years as Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire. She is widely credited with rebuilding the company as a stand alone enterprise, following the closure of the regional screen agencies in 2010. She secured almost £15m in funding to invest in content produced in the region, including productions such as Peaky Blinders, Ackley Bridge and the revived All Creatures Great and Small, as well as feature films like Dad’s Army and The Duke – securing over 100 awards and nominations for Yorkshire-made content.
In 2018 Sally received the RTS Yorkshire’s Outstanding Contribution Award and, in 2021, she was awarded a national RTS Fellowship. She has worked with and supported acclaimed independent production companies based in the region and, as CEO of Screen Yorkshire, she established Yorkshire as the UK’s fastest growing centre for film and TV production – supporting over 12,000 jobs with a turnover of £1.1bn. She launched the region’s first ‘pop-up’ studio and followed this by establishing the first out of London, British Film Institute- backed screen cluster, designed to accelerate growth in key regions.
Recognising the need to support more regional talent and address industry skills shortages, she introduced a slate of new, innovative initiatives through Screen Yorkshire to tackle under-representation, including launching the UK’s first Centre of Screen Excellence, which supports training in craft and technical grades.
Sally also played a key role in bringing Channel 4 to Leeds. Her determination, vision, passion and advocacy over the last 20 years has played a pivotal role in the success of the film and TV sector in Yorkshire.
Sally retired from Screen Yorkshire earlier this year but continues to be active in the industry.
