AHRC Council member
Seetha Kumar is a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Council.
Seetha was formerly Chief Executive of ScreenSkills, the screen sector’s strategic skills body. She transformed the organisation growing its reputation and impact. Under her leadership, ScreenSkills informed by extensive data and insight, delivered a portfolio of successful training programmes and initiatives.
Notable successes include:
- apprenticeship pilots and evidence-based call for reform
- Unscripted TV Skills Fund
- rapid pivot to digital during COVID-19, ensuring industry resilience through e-learning, virtual masterclasses and online mentoring
- innovative ScreenSkills training skills passport, and suite of e-learning modules, powering the platform to become a skills connector with a beneficiary community of circa 170,000
- Future Film Skills Programme which supported 123,000 individuals, offered almost 200,000 development opportunities, including support to over 90,000 new entrants into the screen industries
- Discover Creative Careers programmes
She championed diversity and inclusion, advocating for a focus on progression, retention, and mid-career skills. The foundational work under her watch paved the way for a strategic partnership with Creative Diversity Network to work on training, development, and diversity.
Her governance roles have included:
- Creative Diversity Network
- Royal Television Society Education Committee
- Southampton University
- Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards
- One World Media
- Mayor of London’s Skills Strategy Task and Finish Group (Chair)
She was formerly vice president of Pearson Qualifications International. She has worked in television in senior roles including BBC Online controller, leading the roll-out of high-definition television at the BBC, and overseeing programmes such as Crimewatch UK.
She started her career as the first woman reporter at the Financial Express in New Delhi, India, before working for independent production companies making programmes for Channel 4. In 2019, she became the first woman of colour to be awarded an RTS fellowship. She is actively involved in mentoring young people and finds the experience rewarding.
Last updated: 31 March 2025