Pact, the UK’s leading trade association for independent content producers, is preparing for a major leadership transition as long-serving CEO John McVay OBE announces he will step down later this year. McVay, who has held the position for nearly 25 years, will remain in post through the end of 2025 or early 2026 to support a smooth transition, while continuing to oversee the organization’s strategic lobbying and policy efforts.
The Pact Council has launched a formal recruitment process with executive search firm Quicksmith, supported by a working group of longstanding Council members with more than 15 years of industry experience. Jane Muirhead, Chair of Pact and Managing Director of Raise The Roof Productions, acknowledged the significance of the moment: “After 25 fantastic years leading Pact, the time has come for John to step back and for us to begin the process of finding his replacement. These are big shoes to fill, but we are confident that we’ll find the right person and ensure a smooth transition so that members continue to receive the excellent service they’ve had to date.”
McVay’s tenure at Pact has been transformative. He played a key role in securing the Terms of Trade legislation within the Communications Act of 2003, a landmark shift that allowed UK indie producers to retain IP rights—helping to build what is now a £3.6 billion production sector. He also championed the introduction and expansion of tax credits for film, TV, and children’s content, and was instrumental in designing the UK’s Production Restart Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the safe resumption of TV and film shoots.
As part of the transition plan, McVay will continue leading Pact’s political and strategic initiatives until the new CEO is in place. His extended presence ensures the continuation of key advocacy efforts at a critical time for the industry.
This planned leadership handover marks a pivotal moment for Pact. Under McVay’s leadership, the organization helped shape the UK’s creative economy, modernize industry standards, and elevate the global influence of British indies. The selection of a new CEO will not only define Pact’s future direction but will also signal how the organization intends to maintain its relevance and impact in a rapidly evolving media landscape.