Richard Wilson, the chief executive officer of industry charity the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), has passed away at the age of 58 following a short illness.
Richard had a close working connection to the UK TV industry, beginning in 1984 at Granada Television in the North West of England. Over the next few years he continued working for Granada in human resources, production and property management before moving to London in 1998 and taking on the role of General Manager at London Weekend Television (now part of ITV London).
Following his success as General Manager he became Operations Director at The London Studios, London Weekend Television’s TV studio complex on the South Bank, which still functions as the main studios for ITV.
After the franchise merger of Granada and Carlton Television in 2004, Richard left ITV to set up his own media consulting business in 2005, working as Project Director and Consultant for several leading brand European and US media companies. This included Siemens IT Solutions and Services as Programme Director for major build and technology projects at the BBC. Primarily based at the BBC’s former headquarters in White City, he also spent 12 months with BBC Scotland managing the technical fit-out of the 400,000 sq. ft. digital media centre at Pacific Quay in Glasgow.
During this time Richard joined the Board of Trustees of The CTBF, and in 2012, after serving as interim CEO, the role became permanent in December of that year.
A proud Yorkshireman, Richard’s secondary school education took place at the prestigious Bradford Grammar School in Frizinghall, West Yorskshire. He left Bradford Grammar in 1975, and in 1976 began a BSc. Geography Degree at the University of Bristol, a subject which became a lifelong passion, and a permanent fixture in the CTBF Staff’s annual Christmas quiz. He was also a keen follower of sport and never wavered in his support for the Bradford Bulls Rugby League team.
Richard described working for a charity as different, challenging and satisfying compared to corporate business. He cared passionately about expanding the reach and capabilities of The CTBF, and providing help to those in need from the film and television industries.
Richard is survived by his wife Yvonne, and his children, George and Francesca.
Staff Reporter
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