Lorraine Heggessey Steps Down as Grierson Trust Chair

Lorraine Heggessey has stepped down as chair of The Grierson Trust after 11 years.

“It has been a tremendous honor and a real joy to serve as chair of The Grierson Trust championing excellence across all types of documentary for the past 11 years,” Heggessey said. “I am incredibly proud of how the Trust has grown and in particular how it has become a significant force in training and helping young people from all backgrounds to become the factual filmmakers of the future whilst also expanding the range of DocLab training schemes to help people take the next step in their career. In a world where views are increasingly polarized and expressed in bite-size quotes, documentaries have a crucial role to play whether they’re telling truth to power or unraveling the complexities of international and domestic stories.”

She continued, “It’s a wrench to leave such a wonderful organisation but I do so with full confidence that the Trust is in great shape and will continue to thrive, innovate and make a lasting impact on the documentary community for years to come.”

“We are immensely grateful to Lorraine for her outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment and the lasting legacy she leaves at The Grierson Trust,” commented Sylvia Bednarz, managing director of The Grierson Trust. “Her passion for documentary filmmaking and tireless support for emerging talent have been instrumental in shaping the Trust’s vision and impact. It has been a privilege to work alongside her, and we thank her sincerely for the dedication and insight she brought to her role as chair.”

The Grierson Trust has opened its search for a new chair, with applications being accepted through 5 p.m. on July 10.