David Lyle Foundation announces inaugural scholarship recipients

The David Lyle Foundation, the industry-wide not-for-profit organisation that helps young executives to build successful careers in the international television business, has announced the two inaugural recipients of its annual scholarship initiative.

Gabriella Lafor and Chris Sanders are both UK-based talents working with independent production companies. Gabriella is a production secretary at Argonon owned indie, Like A Shot, whilst Chris is a senior development executive at Zig Zag Productions. They will embark on the year-long scholarship initiative in 2020 and their programme includes education and development designed to fast-track their understanding of the global television-content business and financial support to travel to international conferences.

Cheryl Clarke, president of the David Lyle Foundation, said: “It’s almost trite to say that it was extremely tough to choose the final two, but the judging process proved very clearly there is a huge dollop of passion and compassion in the future talent in our industry. Both Chris and Gaby embody the spirit of what we are trying to achieve with this. They both have earned their first place at the TV table by sheer graft, they have great ideas for how to use their privilege for good and they are honest, fresh and approach their opportunities with great humility – I am genuinely delighted for them and really look forward to the year ahead, working to make sure this first year sets the right tone for the legacy worthy of David Lyle’s name.”

Pact is proud to be one of the founding partners of The David Lyle Foundation alongside a number of other industry organisations including Broadcast, C21Media, Edinburgh TV Festival, EMC, FRAPA, Realscreen, NPACT, NATPE, TBI and Reed MIDEM. The David Lyle Foundation awards two annual scholarships, each valued at US$10,000, to promising young entertainment-industry executives.

Find out more about The David Lyle Foundation here.