Andrew Chowns - Chief Executive

Andrew worked extensively for a number of years within ITV, the UK’s main commercial TV channel, and in 1993 became the Controller of Legal and Business Affairs for ITV Network Centre. In 1998 he was charged with launching the digital channel ITV2 and went on to become the channel’s Commercial Director.  

Andrew became the Head of Business Affairs and Deputy Chief Executive of Pact in 2001 (the trade association representing over 500 UK independent film television and digital media producers and distributors). In 2006 he became Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Affairs for Pact, and was responsible for overseeing the terms of trade with broadcasters, negotiations with unions and collecting societies and other major business affairs matters.   

Andrew was appointed chief executive of Directors UK in 2010. He has overseen the organisation’s transition from primarily being a collecting society to a fully-fledged professional association for all screen directors in the UK. You can email Andrew at info@directors.uk.com

Favourite Film – Singing in the Rain
Favourite TV programme – Frasier
Favourite Quote – “Allegations, allegations, allegations... and I’m going to find out who the alligators are” – (Showbiz agent Eric Hall)

Simone Cammarota  - Head of Distribution

Sim started working for Directors UK in 2005 as a Distributions Assistant before becoming Head of Distribution in 2008. He is responsible for managing the Distributions Team and ensuring that payments are distributed accurately, efficiently and transparently.

He has a BA in Modern History. Email him at distribution@directors.uk.com

Film: Memento
TV Programme: Sopranos
Quote: “Eleven. Exactly. One louder” (Spinal Tap)

Amanda Parker - Head of Communications and Public Affairs (maternity cover). 

Working with the Web and Events team, Amanda has responsibility for Directors UK’s Press, PR and Public Affairs. Her external communications brief covers campaigning on behalf of members, and raising the profile of the vital role played by directors in the cultural and economic life of the UK. Prior to joining in 2012, Amanda previously worked as a parliamentary researcher, as the communications lead for a screen writers’ initiative, and as a programme-maker and projects manager at the BBC.

Film: Four Lions
Quote: “Gotta sing! Gotta dance!” (Singin' in the Rain)

Charlotte Brotherton - Head of Legal Affairs

Charlotte joined Directors UK in August 2011 having been previously Head of Legal Affairs at the sales agent The Works International. She is responsible for providing legal advice and services to staff and members, including contract vetting and assisting with the lobbying activities of Directors UK.

Charlotte originally qualified with London law firm Goodman Derrick in 2005 where she was involved in TV and Film financing transactions, production and rights issues. You can email Charlotte at legal@directors.uk.com.

Film: Kind Hearts and Coronets
TV programme: Blackadder/ Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, obviously…
Quote: “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.”

Laura Lucia - Royalty Distributions Supervisor

Laura joined Directors UK in Spring 2010 and has enjoyed overseeing the mass distributions to members.  She is a big TV fan, and an even bigger theatre fan; but only for special occasions.  TV is an everyday pleasure.  

Film: Bugsy Malone
TV Programme: Extras
Quote: How can they see with sequins in their eyes? – (Billy Flynn, Chicago)

Stuart Wealands - Events and Services Officer

Stuart's been with the organisation since January 2011, having joined as a Distributions Assistant. He took over Events and Services in July. You can email Stuart at events@directors.uk.com

Film:  Heat
TV programme: The Wire
Quote: “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glisten in the dark near the tannhauser gates; all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die.” (Blade Runner)

Graeme Claridge - Website and Communications Officer

Graeme looks after the website at D-UK, meaning he is partly responsible for what you are looking at. Graeme ensures the site is frequently updated and functioning correctly, and takes care of Directors UK’s social channels and e-communications too. Graeme joined the organisation in January 2008 as a Distributions Assistant, before moving to the Comms team a year later.

You can email Graeme at communications@directors.uk.com

Film: Rushmore
TV Programme: Doctor Who
Quote: “Then maybe you shouldn't be living here!!” (Taffin)

Rosie Stevens - Membership Officer

Rosie has been at DUK for a year, starting out as a Distributions Assistant before moving into the role of Membership Officer in April 2012. She was born and raised a North Londoner, and studied Classics at Bristol University.

Film: The Red Shoes
TV Programme: The Wire
Quote: “Fasten your seatbelts, we’re in for a bumpy night.” (All About Eve)

Khwanyo Bu - Executive Assistant to the CEO

Khwan is Assistant to Andrew and the general office manager at Directors UK. She assists and supports Andrew in his role whilst overseeing the general day to day running of the office. Khwanyo has been with DUK for a number of years, having joined the company as a fresh-faced graduate back in 2007 as a Distributions Assistant. You can email Khwan at info@directors.uk.com.

Film: Rear Window
TV programme: Mad Men       
Quote: “What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.” (Alfred Hitchcock)

James Ellen - Senior Distributions Assistant

James has worked at Directors UK since 2006, distributing payments to its members.  When not at work, he trains and teaches martial arts to all ages and has an interest in the traditions of the art as well as the sports side.

Film:  Blade Runner
TV programme: Community
Quote:  “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” (The Simpsons)

Marc Abbs - Distributions Assistant

Marc is an English Literature graduate and has been working at Directors UK as a Distribution Assistant since July 2010.  He’s the one who opens the door – that isn’t a metaphor, he literally opens the office door.

Film: Lost in Translation
TV programme: Six Feet Under
Quote: ‘She was born in 1898 in a barn.  She died on the thirty-seventh floor of a skyscraper.  She’s an astronaut’ – (Bert Cooper, Mad Men)

Abigail Berry - Distributions Assistant

Originally a West Country girl, Abi joined Directors UK as a Distributions Assistant in July from a Film Studies background after doing a Masters in London.  Abi thinks the organisation is one of most important facilities in sustaining the UK film industry, helping to support directors and keep them producing a great variety of moving image work.

Film: Delicatessen
TV programme: Sherlock
Quote: “Oh stewardess, I speak jive..” (Airplane)

Sam Hoy - Distributions Assistant
Sam is a Distributions Assistant at Directors UK, which involves a lot of spreadsheets, data processing and television monitoring to ensure that our members are appropriately recompensated for transmissions of their work in the UK and in Europe. Sam joined in August 2011.

Film: La Haine
TV Programme: The Simpsons
Quote: "You just gotta keep on livin' man. L-I-V-I-N." (Dazed and Confused)

Kate Parish - Distributions Assistant
Kate studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia, and has a Masters in Medieval and Early Modern Textual Cultures. She watches a lot of TV (dramas, sitcoms, detective series), and has loved going to the cinema ever since she was little and her Dad took her to see Disney’s Aladdin. She joined Directors UK in October 2012 as a Distributions Assistant, and is happy to finally be contributing in some way to an industry she enjoys so much.

Film: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
TV Programme: Friends
Quote: "I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." (Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring)