Dear Pact Members,
After more than a quarter of a century as CEO of Pact, today is my last day.
Of course, I’ve known this has been coming for a while now, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
I’d like to start by saying thank you.
Thank you for putting your faith - and hard-earned money - into Pact.
Thank you for the years of joy that you have given me, through your chutzpah, creativity, passion and smarts for what you do as independent producers and distributors. It is those qualities – and wanting to support them - that have kept me energised and full of purpose since day one.
And thank you for working alongside me at Council, in working groups, on committees, at member meetings, and through surveys and campaigns. You have given up your time and shared your knowledge so generously and it is because of that we have been able to be so effective as an organisation.
I’m someone who has always championed data. Hard numbers. Evidence. The quantifiables that underpin the case for change. But more than anything, I’ve been inspired and driven by people. By you. Ambitious producers with brilliant ideas, who want to change the world through storytelling and don’t take no for an answer.
That’s why when I started, I made it my mission to make Pact accessible and inclusive, a welcoming home open to all indies irrespective of size, location, genre or anything else. I’ve wanted Pact to feel like a pillar of strength helping to hold your businesses up, the ‘AA service’ for indies that you know you can always rely on. A trade body that fights for the best possible regulatory environment so that you can get on with doing what you do best. We can't fix everything and we don’t always get it right, but we try to benefit most members most of the time.
Right now, it is an incredibly challenging time, and we all know that people, and businesses, are struggling. The industry is undergoing a period of profound change and things have become a lot tougher. Many of you may be feeling worried about the future.
But Pact is still here for you and will remain so. We have ensured a smooth transition as Nigel takes the reins, and I will continue to support him and Council as needed. And Pact’s dedicated staff will continue to work hard for you, as they always have.
Whilst we have achieved so much together over the past 25 years, there are no guarantees. I implore you not to take progress for granted.
On many occasions during my time at Pact, we have had to defend the Terms of Trade and other hard-won rights for independents. And now, more than ever, we must work together with industry partners to try to secure the future of our whole sector.
So, please, continue to engage with the work of Pact. Support those who are fighting on your behalf and get involved where you can.
As for me, although I’m standing down from Pact, I’m not leaving the industry. I’m looking forward to having more flexibility, exploring new areas and taking on new challenges.
And as for you, please keep aiming for the stars. Keep finding ways to tell your stories. We need them more than ever.
All my very best,
John McVay OBE
john@pact.co.uk