MUMBAI: Former director of television of ITV, Simon Shaps has been appointed as chairman of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) board. He replaces Michael Kuhn, who steps down after two terms.

The school has also announced that media financier Stephen Louis will succeed Peter Bazalgette as deputy chairman.
The new appointments take effect from 8 December.

Shaps, who was also recently appointed as chairman of documentary distributor MercuryMedia, held a variety of roles at ITV, the UK‘s largest commercial broadcaster, over a 20 year career.

As director of television, he was responsible for developing and commissioning shows across all genres, including Britain‘s Got Talent and Loose Women. He currently has a portfolio of roles with a number of media-related businesses, including advertiser-led programming companies Brand Apart.

Kuhn and Bazalgette joined the NFTS board in 2003 and served two terms each. During the tenure, the school committed to remaining at its Beaconfield site paving the way for the launch of new courses and the construction of a new building.

Said NFTS director Nic Powell, "Under their leadership, they stabilised funding, built its first news teaching building for more than 30 years, modernised its courses and added much-needed new ones.

"More importantly, they re-established the NFTS as one of the world‘s leading film schools producing multi award-wining graduates and work. The industry and school owe them a debt of gratitude."