AFVPA chief Garnett resigns as auditors scrutinise finances

Cecilia Garnett, the chief executive of the Advertising Film and

Video Producers Association, has resigned abruptly after financial

irregularities came to light in the body’s 1999 draft accounts.

The AFVPA - which represents the cream of the UK production industry and

is trying to reach an agreement covering pay and conditions with the

film workers union, BECTU - will be headed temporarily by John Hackney

until a replacement is found.

James Studholme, founder of Blink and a member of the AFVPA’s financial

and policy committee, said: ’Despite whatever unaccountable lapses have

brought us to this sad situation, Cecilia has done a brilliant job in

taking the association from nothing to the representative body it is

today.’

Garnett, known as a combative but hard-working defender of her members,

has run the AFVPA for 15 years. Its two other full-time staff, including

Mike Garnett, Cecilia’s brother, remain in their positions.

This article was first published on Campaign