Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Pioneering projects to transform obesity care, backed by £85 million from government and industry [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Pioneering projects to transform obesity care, backed by £85 million from government and industry [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 June 2026.

    A dozen cutting-edge projects will benefit thousands of patients battling obesity across the UK.

    • A dozen cutting-edge projects will see thousands of patients across the UK benefitting from new approaches to tackling obesity.    
    • £85 million grant funding from government and pharmaceutical company Lilly for new approaches such as using AI tools to improve patient care.    
    • Round-the-clock virtual advice and AI-assisted triage among plans to bring care to underserved communities.

    Patients in regions across the UK will be given new and easier ways to access obesity care through 12 new projects, from apps and round-the clock advice on WhatsApp to AI-powered triage.  

    Through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), projects are set to receive grant funding of up to £50 million from government and up to £35 million from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly).  

    They will reshape how obesity is treated and ease long-term pressure on frontline health services by using technology to give people new ways to access support. 

    Putting advice and support at a patient’s fingertips marks a step change in how we can support people living with obesity. 

    Among the projects, patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and north east Essex will get the care they need more quickly through AI-assisted triage. This will mean people worried about their weight being able to fill in a short online health check from home – matching them to the right NHS support, whether that’s advice from a dietitian, or specialist clinical care.  

    In Kent, up to 3,300 families – from pregnancy through to a child’s early years – will get round-the-clock AI powered advice on healthy eating, activity, sleep and stress, straight to their phone via WhatsApp. That means a parent worried about feeding their toddler in the middle of the night, or unsure where to turn for help, can get the right answer instantly – typing their questions into WhatsApp for an immediate response. This will mean people can get the advice they need without a GP or clinic appointment.  

    In Leicester and Northamptonshire, patients will receive weight management support through an initial 6 new neighbourhood hubs, set up in local facilities like community pharmacies or gyms. Children and adults can be referred online, or through their GP, school, or council, standing to benefit from healthy living and lifestyle advice, adolescent specific apps, and, where clinically appropriate, weight loss medication. Whether someone asks for support in person or online, they’ll be supported to find the right care, with extra focus on deprived, Black, South Asian and rural communities who currently miss out most. 

    People in Northern Ireland will be able to refer themselves and work with an NHS clinician to set personal goals, avoiding the wait for a GP appointment. While people in Wales will, for the first time, have one clear route into NHS weight management support – in English or Welsh – wherever they live. 

    Science Secretary Liz Kendall said:   

    Almost 1 in 3 adults in this country are living with obesity – that’s millions of people who deserve real support. 

    These pioneering projects will meet people where they are – whether that is through a pharmacy round the corner, an app on their phone, or support in their own language. For a parent trying to give their child the best start, or someone who has struggled to access help for years, that can make all the difference.  

    The evidence these projects generate will help remove the barriers that have stopped too many people getting they help they need, shaping better health services in the future for every one of us.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray said:   

    Obesity is an epidemic and we need bold action to end it now. These innovative projects will bring together the NHS, local partners and industry to test new ways of delivering obesity care that uses the latest technology and is closer to people’s homes.  

    What we learn from these projects has the potential to help people across the country live healthier lives, underlining this government’s commitment to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan and shift healthcare from treatment to prevention and reduce long-term pressure on vital NHS services.

    Obesity is one of the UK’s most pressing health challenges, with almost one third of adults in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and one in four in Wales living with the condition*. 

    Estimates suggest it costs UK society up to £107 billion per year**, including a bill of more than £9 billion per year for the NHS. Limited access to effective weight loss interventions, like specialist advice, guided physical activity or medicines, remains a key barrier for patients who need support.  

    OPIP will aim to transform outcomes for a wide range patients, including people in deprived rural and coastal communities who often have to travel long distances for in-person care, minority ethnic communities, and for people with disabilities and early years families.   

    Focusing on groups who face most difficulty accessing care will maximise the impact of support through these projects, helping to make the biggest possible difference to people’s lives.  

    These projects will inform the future of obesity care and how the lessons learned from them can be rolled out across the country.  

    Today’s announcement builds on a wider package of government action to end the UK’s obesity pandemic, with action to restrict junk food advertising on TV before 9pm and at all times online – expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories a year from children’s diets – and giving local authorities new powers to stop fast food shops opening near schools. 

    The government has also consulted on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s to protect children’s physical and mental health, and is revising the School Food Standards to ensure every child has access to nutritious meals. 

    Other measures to end the UK’s obesity pandemic include free school meals being extended to every child in a household receiving Universal Credit, alongside the rollout of free breakfast clubs so children start the day ready to learn. 

    To support families on the lowest incomes, the value of Healthy Start payments has been uplifted by 10%, helping parents afford healthy food for their children. And from January 2028, the Soft Drinks Industry Levy will be expanded to cover pre-packed milk-based and milk-substitute drinks – building on a policy that has already cut the average sugar content of soft drinks in scope by 47% between 2015 and 2024. 

    Large food businesses will also be required to report against standardised metrics on healthier food sales by the end of this Parliament – bringing full transparency and accountability to the food and drink the country buys. 

    Professor Naveed Sattar, Chair of the Obesity Healthcare Goals said: 

    It is very encouraging to see investment in these projects, given the urgent need for the NHS to develop better ways of supporting the many people affected by obesity and its complications.

    Each project brings distinct strengths and will explore innovative approaches to care, with the most successful strategies likely to shape future obesity services across the UK.

    Prof Ben Bridgewater, Executive Chair, the Health Innovation Network said:  

    Health innovation is a collective leadership opportunity. This is an example of partners, industry, national and devolved governments and the NHS aligning priorities to deliver innovation locally, closer to patients, that will have a national impact, improving health and wealth across the country. 

    The Health Innovation Network will play a crucial role in leading the Communities of Practice to ensure learnings from the frontline are shared and fed back into the system, avoiding duplication and driving the implementation of the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme.

    Chris Stokes, President and General Manager, Lilly UK and Northern Europe, said:   

    Obesity is a significant health challenge for the UK.

    We are proud to work with the government to support NHS partners in projects which have the potential to modernise obesity services and make a genuine difference in the lives of people living with obesity.

    Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said:   

    Innovate UK is delivering the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme that will set-up and test new models of care to enable patients living with obesity to access clinically appropriate weight management services.  

    The programme aims to improve the health of patients living with obesity and is aligned with the NHS ambition to prevent rather than treat illness.

    The projects are being led by an NHS Integrated Care Board or a Devolved Nation NHS Board, and many working with partners such as the British Heart Foundation, or Obesity UK.    

    Eligible patients will be able to access support through the projects imminently, which will run until March 2029.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK has committed up to $26 million to support the Ebola response in the DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK has committed up to $26 million to support the Ebola response in the DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    I will make three points.

    First, the United Kingdom is concerned by the impact of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, which is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. 

    We commend the swift response of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and we welcome MONUSCO’s efforts to ensure that critical supplies can reach affected areas. 

    The United Kingdom has committed up to $26 million to support the Ebola response. 

    We are working with the DRC, international partners, including the World Health Organisation, and Africa CDC, and regional governments, to support a coordinated response and to strengthen surveillance, containment, and preparedness. 

    We call on all parties to provide full and unhindered humanitarian access, in line with international law, to enable this vital public health response.

    Second, the UK welcomes the commitments made by the DRC and by Rwanda at the Joint Oversight Committee Meeting in London on 24 June. 

    It is vital that the agreed steps to de-escalate tensions are taken without delay, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2773.

    We welcome the commitment to support a successful conclusion to the Doha Process, and we call on all parties to engage constructively with negotiations on the protocols. 

    We also urge all parties to support the swift deployment of the Enhanced Joint Verification Mechanism, and to ensure that MONUSCO has freedom of movement to support ceasefire monitoring and verification efforts, as well as to fully implement its mandate. 

    Finally, the United Kingdom expresses deep concern over the scale of human rights violations and abuses in eastern DRC, highlighted in the Secretary-General’s latest report. 

    This includes widespread conflict-related sexual violence and grave violations against children. 

    We note with concern increased drone strikes, aerial bombardments, and heavy artillery shelling in densely populated areas, undermining the safety of civilians. 

    The United Kingdom underscores the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civic space.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK deploys search and rescue team and emergency funding to support Venezuela earthquake response [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK deploys search and rescue team and emergency funding to support Venezuela earthquake response [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    The UK is releasing an initial £2 million in humanitarian funding to support the response to devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, including a deployment of specialist search and rescue personnel.

    • UK deploying 68‑strong search and rescue team, including specialist dogs, to support life‑saving efforts in Venezuela
    • £2 million UK humanitarian funding will support immediate response and coordination
    • UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) is also sending an advance team to assess urgent health needs and inform further UK medical support

    The UK is releasing an initial £2 million in humanitarian funding to support the response to devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, including a deployment of specialist search and rescue personnel.

    Supported by the Royal Air Force, the UK’s International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) team of 68 personnel, including six specialist search dogs, departed today to assist efforts to locate and rescue people trapped in the wake of the earthquake.

    The team set off from RAF Brize Norton on a Voyager aircraft, carrying specialist drones able to help assess structural collapses safely, identify hazards such as compromised roofs, and direct rescue teams. RAF personnel, including aircrew and logisticians, worked rapidly to prepare the aircraft and coordinate the deployment, helping deliver the much-needed support.

    The flight also carries members of the UK’s humanitarian field team, including supply chain, humanitarian and security specialists, with further personnel joining in country to support the delivery and coordination of UK assistance.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week’s devastating earthquakes. The UK stands in solidarity with all those affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

    We are making £2 million of emergency humanitarian funding available and are working closely with international partners to ensure vital support reaches those most in need as quickly as possible.

    The deployment brings together firefighters and specialists from 14 UK Fire and Rescue Services across the UK, led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The UK team is highly experienced and worked tirelessly on the ground in Türkiye and Morocco in 2023, helping to rescue survivors trapped under the rubble.

    UK ISAR is part of the UK’s National Resilience capability and is on permanent standby to respond to disasters overseas. The team will work alongside local and international partners to support life-saving search and rescue operations.

    Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

    The UK today has sent support to Venezuela following these devastating earthquakes.

    Our specialist search and rescue teams are deploying to help save lives, and we are providing a £2 million package to support the humanitarian response.

    We continue to work closely with international partners to ensure help reached those affected as fast as possible

    FCDO funding ensures the UK ISAR team is trained, equipped and ready to deploy at short notice to support countries affected by natural disasters, helping to rescue those trapped, coordinate efforts on the ground and strengthen the wider international response.

    Experts from the UK’s Emergency Medical Team are also travelling to Venezuela to determine how the UK can best help save lives in the crucial coming days and weeks as part of the FCDO‑funded response.

    The UK EMT members are travelling to Venezuela to assess urgent health needs. Their analysis will inform any further UK medical deployment and support wider international coordination.

    Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

    Our Armed Forces have moved quickly to support the UK’s humanitarian response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, transporting specialist search and rescue personnel and equipment to assist life-saving efforts on the ground.

    The RAF plays an important role in getting people and capabilities where they are needed most, and our Armed Forces stand ready to support humanitarian missions around the world alongside our international partners.

    The UK’s £2 million package will support immediate life-saving activity and the wider international response. The UK works in partnership to rapidly respond to humanitarian disasters and is a major contributor to global emergency funds, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which underpin rapid multinational responses.

    DREF has allocated funding for the Venezuelan Red Cross to deliver a fast and local response to by rapidly releasing funds to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to carry out their role as first responders following a disaster. An allocation has also been made by the CERF and will provide immediate, life-saving humanitarian assistance to address the most urgent needs of people affected by the earthquakes.

    Notes to editors

    • The UK International Search and Rescue team (UKISAR) respond to disasters on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. UK ISAR is a partnership between the FCDO and UK Fire and Rescue Services, providing a 24/7 deployable search and rescue capability for international emergencies.
    • The team is made up of firefighters and specialists from 14 Fire and Rescue Services across the UK and this deployment is led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
    • UK‑Med is the delivery partner of the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT), funded by the FCDO.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Venezuela [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Venezuela [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Venezuela. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you

    We reaffirm our support to the Venezuelan people, who are in our thoughts following Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes and resulting casualties.

    Mr Vice President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for his recent report and the continued engagement of his Office in Venezuela.

    Some encouraging measures have been implemented, including the release of political detainees and the announcement of reforms.

    We also welcome recent dialogue between the Venezuelan authorities and representatives of the opposition, and encourage continued engagement to support progress towards a return to democratic norms.

    These developments represent a positive step and have the potential to improve the human rights situation on the ground.

    We hope that the coming months see continued progress on remaining challenges including restrictions on civic space, arbitrary detention and concerns around due process.

    In this context, we reiterate our call on the Venezuelan authorities to release those who remain arbitrarily detained, to continue to strengthen the rule of law, and to ensure an environment in which civil society, media and political actors can operate freely and safely.

    We also underline the importance of constructive cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner and other international mechanisms, including by facilitating their full access, in support of accountability and sustainable reform.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government bolsters Ukraine’s economic recovery, with World Bank approving $1 billion in UK-backed finance [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government bolsters Ukraine’s economic recovery, with World Bank approving $1 billion in UK-backed finance [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 26 June 2026.

    Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding.

    • Government announces latest $1 billion tranche of UK fiscal support that, pooled with partners’ support, will provide more than $4 billion in additional financing for Ukraine 
    • Deputy Prime Minister leads UK Government delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk  

    Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, helping to keep vital services running throughout the war.

    A $1 billion UK-backed package, approved by the World Bank, will unlock more than $4 billion in additional financing to help keep hospitals, schools and essential public services operating across Ukraine. The announcement comes as the Deputy Prime Minister leads the UK delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk today (Thursday 25 June).

    During the conference, the Deputy PM confirmed approval of the latest $1 billion tranche of fiscal support for Ukraine. The funding will help unlock private sector investment, support economic growth and create skilled jobs, strengthening Ukraine’s long-term recovery and resilience.

    Alongside international partners, the UK is using its economic strength to unlock bigger global backing, ensuring Ukraine can keep functioning and recover faster. 

    This comes as the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced a new package worth almost £290 million to bolster Ukraine’s recovery and energy security. This investment will support judicial reforms, funding for an EU Anti-Corruption Initiative and backing for Ukraine’s Green Transition Office. 

    Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy commented:  

    We’re backing Ukraine to keep its country running, keep the lights on in hospitals and make sure teachers get paid.

    This is the largest component of the UK’s fiscal support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022 and it will protect the public services that brave Ukrainians depend on.

    The UK will be at Ukraine’s side for its defence today and its rebuilding in the future. We are resolute in our pursuit of a just and lasting peace.

    The UK has $5 billion in committed loan guarantees to provide additional support for World Bank lending to Ukraine. This announcement of $1 billion in support is the latest tranche of support under this commitment.  

    Further information:

    • The $1bn announced today marks the allocation of funding from a previously announced $5bn loan guarantee commitment to support Ukraine’s urgent fiscal needs. Of this:   
    • $500m will go towards supporting a World Bank operation worth $3.35bn. This project has delivered crucial reforms, enabling private sector financing and investment; attracting skilled labour to jobs; and advancing cross-border market integration.  
    • $500m will go towards a Social Protection operation worth $880m and co-financed by Japan and Germany. This operation is instrumental to modernising social assistance in Ukraine, supporting reforms in social policy, disability rights and labour market inclusion.   
  • PRESS RELEASE : The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault on El Obeid – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault on El Obeid – UK statement at the UN Security Council [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by developments in and around El Obeid, and the immediate and escalating risks they pose to the civilian population.

    I will make three points.

    First, civilians must be protected and able to leave El Obeid, as called for by this Council on June 20.
    The Rapid Support Forces must halt their assault, and civilians must be able to leave.

    And all parties, including the Sudanese Armed Forces, should ensure that they are able to do so.

    All parties must comply fully with their obligations under international law to protect civilians.

    We are deeply concerned at the risk of large-scale atrocities.

    Civilians face increasing constraints on movement, deteriorating access to essential services, and the threat of intensified violence, including from continued drone strikes and attacks on critical infrastructure.

    As my Foreign Secretary has made clear, El Obeid is on the precipice of an atrocity that would deepen the wounds already inflicted on Sudan in El Fasher.

    All parties must act now to prevent further harm to civilians.

    Second, humanitarian actors need to be able to operate safely and without obstruction.

    All parties must facilitate rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, and provide the security guarantees needed for humanitarians to deliver lifesaving assistance.

    Attacks on humanitarian personnel are unacceptable.

    Without urgent action, those able to leave the city will not be able to access the aid they need.

    And finally, this conflict cannot be resolved by military means.

    Developments in El Obeid underscore the urgent need to halt the fighting and create space for a political pathway.

    We support efforts towards a humanitarian truce as the most credible route to reducing harm and enabling progress.

    We commend US leadership and Senior Advisor Boulos’s tireless efforts on this, as well as the work of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr Haavisto, to support de-escalation.

    External support continues to sustain this conflict. 

    And we call on those fuelling the conflict to cease, and those with influence must exercise it now to avoid further bloodshed.

    The suffering of the Sudanese people cannot continue.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Six Governors have been appointed and four reappointed to the British Film Institute [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Six Governors have been appointed and four reappointed to the British Film Institute [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 June 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta, Ryan Prince and Jane Tranter and reappointed Monica Chadha, Elizabeth Karlsen, Edgar Wright and Laura Miele as Governors of the British Film Institute for terms of 4 years.

    Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta and Jane Tranter’s terms will commence on 8 June 2026 to 7 June 2030. Ryan Prince’s term will commence on 6 July 2026 to 5 July 2030.

    Tanya Cordrey 

    Tanya Cordrey is a leading product and technology executive with over two decades of experience scaling some of the world’s best-known businesses. She is currently Chief Product Officer at Motorway, the UK’s largest online used-car marketplace, which is pioneering the development of AI products to transform how people buy and sell cars.

    Previously, Tanya held senior roles at Instagram as VP of Product and at Guardian News & Media as Chief Digital Officer, where she sat on the executive committee and oversaw an award-winning product portfolio. She brings extensive board experience, having served as a Non-Executive Director at Clarks and Schibsted, and as an adviser to the Government Digital Service. 

    Mark Herbert

    After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University in 1994, Mark’s career break came in 1995 when he was hired as Assistant Location Manager on “Brassed Off”. This led to a number of freelance positions from Location Manager to Production Manager before his first Producer role on the hit show “Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights” in 2001. 

    In 2002, Mark co-founded the Sheffield based production company WarpFilms. Mark has produced over 25 films, 17 TV series, and 8 short films, earning an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and five BAFTAs. His notable credits range from producing the acclaimed film This Is England to executive producing the global Netflix hit Adolescence alongside long-time collaborators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham.

    Ganan Kanagathurai

    Ganan Kanagathurai is a senior executive, accountant and entrepreneur with a proven track record of scaling iconic brands across the UK’s hospitality and creative sectors. Ganan is the owner and Chairman of the acclaimed Roti King restaurant group and was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the UK food chain itsu.

    Deeply committed to the UK’s cultural landscape, Ganan serves as Chairman of Rifco, the UK’s leading South Asian theatre production company and is also a trustee of Women in Sport. Ganan brings high-level corporate governance, entrepreneurial experience, and a passion for diverse storytelling.

    Hakan Kousetta

    Emmy Award winner Hakan Kousetta is, alongside Jamie Laurenson, the co-founder of 60FortyFilms, a London based television production company. 

    Passionate about the UK’s television and film industry, Hakan has been a vocal advocate for the production community. He sat on PACT council for over five years (and was co-chair of the Film Policy Group for over two years) before being elected as Chair of PACT Council in 2021. That same year, Hakan, alongside John McVay, received a special innovation award by the Producers Guild of Great Britain for their extensive work with the Government on designing and implementing the COVID Film and TV Production Restart Scheme. Hakan is also a member of BAFTA, Producers Guild of America and has a legal background.

    Ryan Prince

    For the past 25 years, Ryan has founded and overseen complex operating businesses in the hospitality and housing sectors. He is Vice Chair of multinational investment company Realstar Group, a real estate and investment management company.

    Almost a decade ago, Ryan also founded the UK’s leading residential owner and operator of rental apartments UNCLE which supports renters in major cities across the UK for a better, fairer rental experience. Ryan is also the past Chair of the UK Advisory Board and main board member of education and programming charity Facing History & Ourselves. The charity creates content and lesson plans for teachers in order to help students aged 14 to 18 tackle the hard questions of human behaviour throughout modern history.

    Jane Tranter 

    Jane Tranter CBE is a highly experienced television executive and producer, recognised for her significant contributions to the UK and global screen industries. In 2025, she was made a CBE for her services to television and is a recipient of the BAFTA Special Award.

    Jane previously served as the BBC’s Controller of Drama and Controller of Fiction, overseeing major hits including Doctor Who, Spooks, and State of Play.

    She later moved to Los Angeles, founding BBC Worldwide Productions and Adjacent Productions, before returning to the UK in 2015 to co-found the Cardiff-based production company Bad Wolf. Under her leadership, Bad Wolf has produced internationally acclaimed dramas such as the Night Of and Industry, while championing regional production growth in Wales. She was also an Executive Producer on the award-winning series Succession.

    Governors that have been reappointed to the BFI Board:

    Monica Chadha

    Monica Chadha serves on the boards of, or as an adviser to, several privately held companies in the entertainment and technology sectors. Previously Monica was CEO of MyMovies.Net; Vice Chair of Queen Mary University of London; Founder and Co-Chair of the Deloitte Higher Education Cyber Security Group; Chair of the British Independent Film Awards Advisory Board; Non-Executive Director of Obviously Creative; Advisory Board member of the BAFTA Digital Communications Group, Marlow Film Studios, the CMI President’s Advisory Council; and member of the APPG for AI and Bias in AI Research Group at Durham University. 

    In 2018 Monica was appointed an ambassador for Women on Boards. In 2019 she was voted one of the top 50 Women to Watch in the UK in the Female FTSE Board Report.

    Elizabeth Karlsen

    Elizabeth Karlsen is an internationally renowned, award-winning producer who co-founded Number 9 Films, one of the UK’s leading independent production companies, with partner Stephen Woolley in 2002. In February 2019, Elizabeth and Stephen jointly received the highly prestigious BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. 

    Elizabeth’s work with Stephen on films such as Living (2022), Carol (2015), Colette (2018), Little Voice (1998), Made in Dagenham (2010), Youth (2015), The Crying Game (1993) has garnered a total of 52 BAFTA nominations and wins and 20 Academy Award nominations and wins. 

    Elizabeth has served on the board of The Edinburgh Film Festival, the NFTS Gala, the American Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts Events Committee, and was Chair of Women in Film and TV UK.

    Edgar Wright 

    Edgar Wright burst onto the scene with the groundbreaking British sitcom Spaced, instantly marking himself as a bold new creative voice. He followed with two back-to-back genre-defining hits: the“RomZomCom” Shaun of the Dead and the action-comedy Hot Fuzz, both made with longtime collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

    After completing The Cornetto Trilogy with The World’s End, Wright directed the BAFTA-winning, Oscar-nominated blockbuster Baby Driver, which earned over $220 million worldwide, three Academy Award nominations, and a BAFTA for Best Editing. He followed up in 2021 with the psychological thriller Last Night in Soho and the documentary The Sparks Brothers. Most recently, he co-wrote and directed Paramount’s Stephen King adaptation, The Running Man.

    Beyond film and television, Wright has directed commercials for brands such as SquareSpace, Hotels.com, Nike, and McDonald’s, as well as music videos for artists including Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk, Beck, and Mint Royale.

    Laura Miele

    Laura Miele is a technology and media executive who recently celebrated 30 years at Electronic Arts.

    Previously, she has held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Studios Officer, Executive Vice President of Global Publishing, and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2013, she was named General Manager of the Star Wars business, where she led EA’s partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney.

    Laura is widely recognised as a leading voice in the global interactive entertainment industry and is a sought-after speaker and media commentator. In 2024, she joined the Board of Directors of On Holding AG (On Running).

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Governors of the British Film Institute are not remunerated.

    These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. 

    Tanya Cordrey, Mark Herbert, Ganan Kanagathurai, Hakan Kousetta, Ryan Prince, Jane Tranter, Monica Chadha, Elizabeth Karlen, Edgar Wright and Laura Miele have declared no such political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South station opens [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South station opens [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 June 2026.

    This £250 million government investment cuts journey times, boosts rail links and supports further employment growth in the region.

    • Cambridge South station opens this weekend delivering direct rail access to Europe’s largest biomedical campus
    • £250 million government investment will deliver major transport improvement for over 20,000 current bio-medical campus staff with up to 9 trains an hour to London, Stansted and Birmingham Airport
    • new station will cut journey times to a single 45-minute direct train, transforming access to world-class healthcare, jobs and opportunities for the 40,000 people who visit Cambridge Biomedical Campus every day

    Thousands of visitors will be able to travel from the new Cambridge South station from Sunday (28 June 2026), as it opens its doors to boost transport links and reduce journey times across the region.

    Backed by £250 million of government funding, the new station is expected to welcome around 1.8million passengers a year, transforming connectivity across the region, with up to 9 trains an hour connecting passengers to Cambridge city centre and beyond.

    Passengers will also be able to take trains to London, Birmingham, Stansted Airport and international rail services via St Pancras, with up to 20 services calling at Cambridge South in peak hours, improving access to jobs, homes and opportunities for millions of people.

    Services operated by Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Thameslink CrossCountry are expected to call at the new station from day one.

    The new station will directly serve Cambridge Biomedical Campus – home to world-class science, NHS hospitals and business facilities. The campus currently contributes £4.7 billion annually to the UK economy, with every 10 jobs on the campus supporting a further 10 jobs across the UK.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    The newly opened Cambridge South station cuts journey times, improves access to jobs and makes everyday life that little bit easier for thousands of people.

    This £250 million investment means a journey that once took over an hour – involving a train, a bus, a walk – is now a single 45-minute direct train from London. That’s a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.

    With up to 20 services in peak hours connecting passengers to London, Birmingham, Stansted and beyond, Cambridge South will connect people with opportunities across the region and the wider country. This is Great British Railways (GBR) in action.

    Designed to blend in with its surroundings, the station integrates with the existing Hobson’s Park nature reserve, helping to protect valuable green space, recreational areas and wildlife habitats.

    Its ‘green roof’ includes a wildflower meadow environment and a rainwater catchment system that will store and slowly discharge rainwater back into the environment and the nearby brook, while the station’s overall design and construction efficiencies have reduced the station’s carbon footprint by over 22%.

    Jamie Burles, Managing Director for GBR Anglia, said:

    Welcoming the first customers through the door of Cambridge South on Sunday will mark the completion of a new gateway for the 1.8 million people expected to use the new station every year.

    Cambridge South will be a game-changer, providing a more sustainable travel option for workers and visitors at the biomedical campus and for local residents too, supporting regional growth and boosting connection to major cities and transport hubs across the UK.

    Hundreds of people across the rail industry and our supply chain have worked incredibly hard to deliver this for Cambridge. I know they will all be proud to see it open for our passengers and community. We look forward to serving you as you visit.

    Prior to the station opening, someone travelling from London King’s Cross station would need to take a train, a bus and walk to reach the Biomedical campus in a journey taking over one hour. However, thanks to the brand-new station, passengers can take one 45-minute direct train from London to Cambridge South.

    Shaun Grady, Chair of AstraZeneca UK, said:

    AstraZeneca, alongside local partners, has been supportive of Cambridge South from the start, so we are very excited to see the station opening. It is not hyperbole to say it will be transformative for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and for the rest of the city.

    From colleagues and visitors coming up to Cambridge for appointments, going down to London for meetings and flying in via Stansted, the station will help people get to where they want to go. Improving connectivity to and from the campus has always been the key priority and this new station will greatly support the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in innovation, science and technology.

    Peter Denton CBE, Chair of Cambridge Biomedical Campus Limited, said:

    This new rail station will be transformational for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, making it easier to collaborate through better connectivity to London, Manchester, Stansted and beyond.

    Cambridge South will deliver long-term growth and have an immediate impact for hospital visits and those seeking jobs and career opportunities within the world-leading life sciences, health, research and education organisations which we are lucky to have here.

    The new station is connected to the local cycle network with 1,000 spaces for cycles and blue badge bays and is located next to the guided busway system, providing visitors with more sustainable transport options from the local park and ride facilities or the city centre.

    Cambridge South will be the first new GBR-branded station – with clearer information and better support stations that are simpler to move around, from planning journeys to getting help on the day.

    Already one of the UK’s most dynamic economic regions, the Oxford-Cambridge corridor has a combined value of £143 billion and is driving growth with employment rising 40% faster than elsewhere in the country, with around 30% of jobs in knowledge-intensive sectors – almost triple the national average.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Anti-Personnel Mines. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Chair.

    Anti-personnel mines injure and kill long after conflicts have ended and continue to pose a threat to the full enjoyment of all human rights.

    The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention provides a key framework for addressing this issue. It bans the use, stockpiling, destruction and transfer of landmines and obligates their destruction. The Convention is one of the world’s most widely accepted treaties.

    Strong national ownership and a whole of government approach are critical to implementing the Convention’s obligations. Mine action should be integrated into national development plans due to its potential to drive humanitarian and development outcomes – it saves lives, prevents injuries and is a vital enabler of SDGs in multiple contexts.

    Through the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme, we expect to spend over £50m from April 2026 to March 2029. This will continue to fund demining and risk education, through partnerships, and technical support to mine affected states. Through this work we remain committed to innovative financing and support to Women and Girls.

    The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention’s Siem Reap Angkor Action plan provides a clear roadmap to face the threat of anti-personnel mines. The UK remains unwaveringly committed to the Convention – our support, its humanitarian purpose and its norms remain firm.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lebanese Army Commander Ends Official Visit to the United Kingdom [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Lebanese Army Commander Ends Official Visit to the United Kingdom [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 June 2026.

    Discussions focused on the UK’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire.

    The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Rodolphe Haykal, ended a two-day visit to the United Kingdom 24-26 June, his first official visit to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen collaboration on shared priorities, including regional stability, border security, and institutional resilience.

    During his visit, General Haykal held meetings with UK counterparts, including the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Sir Richard Knighton at the Ministry of Defence, and toured the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also met with Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer and UK National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. Discussions focused on the UK’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire, and the UK’s readiness to support LAF deployment to the south.

    The UK continues to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon. Since 2009, the UK has committed over £180 million to support Lebanon’s internal and border security, including £69 million to the Internal Security Forces and more than £120 million to the Lebanese Armed Forces in training, equipment, and capacity-building programmes.