Cecilia Garnett, the chief executive of the Advertising Film and
Video Producers Association, has resigned abruptly after financial
irregularities came to light in the body’s 1999 draft accounts.
The AFVPA - which represents the cream of the UK production industry and
is trying to reach an agreement covering pay and conditions with the
film workers union, BECTU - will be headed temporarily by John Hackney
until a replacement is found.
James Studholme, founder of Blink and a member of the AFVPA’s financial
and policy committee, said: ’Despite whatever unaccountable lapses have
brought us to this sad situation, Cecilia has done a brilliant job in
taking the association from nothing to the representative body it is
today.’
Garnett, known as a combative but hard-working defender of her members,
has run the AFVPA for 15 years. Its two other full-time staff, including
Mike Garnett, Cecilia’s brother, remain in their positions.