03/01/2014 - Experienced campaigner has past stints at Abu Dhabi Film Commission and South West Screen

Film London has appointed David Shepheard as Senior Inward Investment Manager to manage the promotion of London as a production destination to attract inward investment. He joins the Inward Investment and Business Development team, headed up Helena Mackenzie. Shepheard will manage all activity related to filming in London, from showcasing the city globally, through to ensuring London remains film friendly and ready to accommodate domestic and international film, television and animation production.

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In 2009, Shepheard set up the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, where he introduced the Middle East’s first and only financial incentive for filming. Prior to that, he was Head of Inward Investment and Locations at South West Screen, before which he launched Screen East when it merged with Eastern Screen where he was interim Chief Executive. He was also the first Director of Bristol Film Office.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission said, “The production industries in London are in the midst of an expansion with the new UK tax reliefs for television and animation now in place, and the upcoming enhancement to the film tax relief. As an agency we are working to attract and facilitate international productions, and continuing to build on our success in overturning London’s reputation as a difficult place to film. I am delighted David will be driving this work forward. His experience in this area will ensure we capitalise on London’s assets and deliver more investment into the capital, creating jobs and new opportunities for the benefit of the city.”