Pictures of the Left BankCEO Andy Harris will take over as the new chairman The film is London Executive Task Force this month.
Harris, whose company is producing “Crown” among other elite dramas, changed the inaugural chair of the Lord David Putnamwho has been working in this role since 2004.
Harris founded Left Bank Pictures in 2007; Sony Pictures Television acquired the company in 2012.
The London Film Task Force is made up of stakeholders from both the screen industry, including Netflix, Channel 4 and The Production Guild, and the public sector, such as the Metropolitan Police. Its goal is to ensure that London remains the desired location for filming – with all the economic benefits it offers – with minimal disruption to residents and local businesses.
Some of the issues addressed by the task force include traffic management, code of practice, permits and fees, data collection and communication.
During Lord Puttnam’s tenure, the task force introduced a road closure for filming in the UK and launched the London Film Partnership, which consists of more than 500 liaison organizations across the city to ensure the capital is as cinematic as possible.
“It has been an honor and a privilege for us to serve seventeen years as chairman,” Lord Puttnam said in a statement. “I am glad that I played a role in the development of this joint and completely successful executive task force. We can all be proud of what has been achieved during my tenure, including the development and implementation of the London Local Government and Transport Act of 2008 and the subsequent – and very significant – increase in all types of photography in our city (regardless of from being feature films, television, commercials or student films).
“I would like to note the great support and encouragement I have received from the directors of the London Council and the films, each of which has been a pleasure to work with,” continued Lord Putnam. “With the appointment of my successor Andy Garris, I know that the Executive Task Force will be brilliantly placed to fulfill its mission to ensure that the UK remains the ‘destination of choice’ for the fast-growing international content industry.”
Harris said: “I have lived and filmed in London for the last 30 years of my life and this big city gives me the most pleasure watching watching it come to life on screen and raising my family here. It is a great honor to follow David in this position, as well as the privilege of continuing to fight for London to be at the heart of our brilliant and ever-expanding business. ”
Adrian Wootan, Chief Executive Officer of Film London and the British Film Commission, added: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Lord David Puttham as Chair of the Executive Film Task Force in London. Lord Putnam has played an important role in strengthening cooperation between many London agencies and industry, making London one of the most productive cities in the world. I cannot underestimate the impact that Lord Putnam has had on our city, our sector and the success of our country on the world stage as a result, and I know many are repeating my words. We are truly grateful for his contribution and I would like to thank him for his commitment, experience and tremendous leadership who have supported the London Film Partnership and, indeed, Film London for almost two decades ”.
“Moving forward, I am pleased to announce Left Bank Pictures CEO Andy Harris as the newly appointed Chair of the Executive Task Force,” Wutan added. “Andy has extensive experience in the industry, critical acclaim and innovative forward thinking, and we look forward to welcoming him to the task force.”