FOCUS On: An Audience with John McVay, Pact
book now for an insightful evening with John McVay, DEPARTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PACT, INTRODUCED BY CLAIRE MUNDELL AND CHAIRED BY JEN TOPPING.
📆 Wednesday 22nd October 2025, 5.30 - 6.30pm
📍 The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ
Join us for an insightful evening with John McVay, the driving force behind the growth of the UK independent production sector from a niche cottage industry into a £3.6 billion powerhouse—thanks to his championing of IP rights, tax incentives, and pioneering Covid-era support schemes.
The session will be introduced by Claire Mundell, founder of Synchronicity Films and Pact Council National Representative for Scotland, and chaired by Jen Topping, FOCUS consultant.
John McVay, Chief Executive of Pact, recently announced he will be leaving the organisation after nearly 25 years at its helm. John started his media career in Scotland and across his career he has worked with countless indies and producers across the country.
This is an exclusive event organised by FOCUS inviting you to hear from John and his insights for Scotland-based producers after a career at Pact. There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A for you to ask John any questions.
The event itself will last approximately 1hr 15 minutes, including Q&A, followed by networking and drinks.
We anticipate this event will be well attended so we encourage you to book early when registrations open on Monday 30th September. Tickets will be free, but since spaces are limited, Scottish indies and producers will be prioritised for spaces. If you can no longer attend this event please contact us immediately so that we can release your ticket.
About the speakers:
John McVay OBE is the Chief Executive of Pact, the UK’s leading Trade Association for Film, TV, Animation, Children’s and Digital production companies. John contributes to many UK government and international policy fora on the creative industries, broadcasting, trade and investment. John has extensive experience of policy development across all aspects of broadcasting and television production and leads on all Pact policy development in the UK and Europe. He also maintains excellent relationships with all of the UK’s major political parties and the devolved assemblies and parliaments. John is currently; a Board member of the Creative Diversity Network, a member of the Creative Industries Council (CIC), an industry advisor to the AHRC Creative Industries programme, Industry board member of the British Film Commission and a board member of the Creative Cities Convention.
Claire Mundell is an award-winning Founder and CEO of Synchronicity Films, a scripted and feature film production company. Claire’s most recent production is THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ, a double Emmy nominated, 6-part premium limited series adaptation of the Sunday Times and New York Times Bestseller for Sky Atlantic, Peacock, Stan, All3Media International and NBCU, which aired in the UK, US, Australia, and many other territories globally. Two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve composed the score for the series, and the series features an original song by Barbra Streisand – “Love Will Survive”.
In 2023, Claire won a BAFTA for Best Scripted at the BAFTA Scotland 2023 Awards for Synchronicity’s adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s acclaimed novel MAYFLIES, which Claire executive produced for BBC One.
With Synchronicity, Claire has established a scripted indie with a reputation for critically acclaimed IP. Other company credits include the BAFTA and RTS-winning BBC One/ABC series THE CRY, a psychological thriller starring Jenna Coleman. Other current projects include Graeme Armstrong’s blistering debut, THE YOUNG TEAM. Films include the BIFA-winning and BAFTA-nominated ONLY YOU by Harry Wootliff, Andrew Haigh’s celebrated WEEKEND, and Karen Gillan’s directorial debut feature THE PARTY’S JUST BEGINNING.
Jen Topping is a consultant working with production companies, broadcasters, arts organisations and creators to help them grow their businesses in this age of tech disruption. Her clients have included 100+ independent TV, film and content production companies; Channel 4’s Emerging Indie Fund; as well as organisations such as the Booker Prizes, STV News and Beano Studios. Over 3,000 industry professionals subscribe to her weekly newsletter businessoftv.substack.com, which covers the TV and media trends producers need to know so they can plan for the future. Previously, she worked at the Microsoft studio making interactive TV for Xbox and was at Channel 4 for seven years working across 4oD, multiplatform TV shows, channel4.com, YouTube and social. She started her career as a BBC news trainee. She has an MBA and a professional certificate in executive coaching from Henley Business School. She was vice chair of BIMA, the trade body for the British digital industry.
General Information:
Accessibility:
The venue has step free access and is wheelchair accessible. If you have any further accessibility requirements, please contact the FOCUS team in advance: hello@filmcityfutures.com
Privacy policy:
By booking this event you consent to FOCUS & Film City Futures storing your contact details. Please note: we will only ever contact you via email regarding FOCUS events and will not share your confidential information with any external third parties.
Photography notice:
Please be aware that we may take photographs and videos at this event. By attending and/ or participating in this event, you agree for us to photograph and/ or video record you and to use such images and recordings on our website, social media and other platforms as required.
COVID-19 statement:
Please do not attend in-person events if you, or anyone in your household, has had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the past five days prior to the event.
If you have any access requirements for attending this event, please contact us: hello@filmcityfutures.com