BAFTA has launched a review after its trustees were accused of potentially breaching UK charity law by accepting free guest tickets to awards ceremonies — a practice one insider says has been going on for up to 20 years.
The concerns were raised at BAFTA’s annual general meeting this week by Michael Pritchett, an independent film producer who serves as the elected chair of BAFTA’s membership council. Pritchett questioned whether trustees had broken rules that prevent them from receiving remuneration or benefits, according to a transcription of his remarks seen by Deadline.
BAFTA Trustees and the Free Awards Tickets
Pritchett alleged that trustees had received complimentary tickets for themselves and a guest at BAFTA’s film, television and games awards. Guests, he claimed, received top-table tickets potentially worth up to £2,000 ($2,665) for the film awards.
The allegation cuts to a sensitive issue for Britain’s leading film and TV academy: as a charity, BAFTA’s trustees are barred from benefiting personally from their roles. Whether decades of complimentary awards tickets cross that line is now the subject of the review. BAFTA has not yet commented publicly on Pritchett’s remarks or the scope of the review.
What Happens Next
The review arrives as BAFTA navigates a leadership transition — the academy only recently named UKTV boss Hilary Rosen as its new chair, succeeding Sara Putt. How the new leadership handles questions of trustee conduct will be an early test of its governance.
BAFTA awards (Credits: Deadline)
Also Read: BAFTA Names UKTV Boss Hilary Rosen as New Chair, Succeeding Sara Putt and Pippa Harris and YouTube UK Boss Alison Lomax Join Board of National Film & Television School
Source: Deadline — read the full story there.
