Simon Shaps, the former director of television at British broadcaster ITV, has been appointed as chairman of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) board. He replaced Michael Kuhn, who is stepping down after two terms.

The school has also announced that media financier Stephen Louis is succeed Peter Bazalgette as deputy chairman. The new appointments take effect from December 8.

Shaps (pictured), who was also recently appointed as chairman of documentary distributor MercuryMedia, held a variety of roles at ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, over a 20 year career. As director of television, he was responsible for developing and commissioning shows across all genres, including Britain’s Got Talent and Loose Women. He currently has a portfolio of roles with a number of media-related businesses, including advertiser-led programming companies Brand Apart.

Meanwhile, Louis is already chair of the NFTS Finance and General Purposes Committee and he also served on the board of Governors for ten years. He set up the media finance business at NM Rothschild before leaving to co-found Enable Partners, which currently invests in multiplex cinemas, online business directories and payroll services.

Kuhn and Bazalgette joined the NFTS board in 2003 and both served two terms. During the tenure, the school committed to remaining at its Beaconfield site, paving the way for the launch of new courses and the construction of a new building.

Nik Powell, NFTS director, said: “Under [their] leadership, they stabilised funding, built its first new teaching building for more than 30 years, modernised its courses and added much-needed new ones. More importantly, they re-established the NFTS as one of the world’s leading film schools producing multi award-wining graduates and work. The industry and school owe them a debt of gratitude.”

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