Senior Consultant and Executive Chair, Animation UK
Kate O’Connor is a senior consultant in the creative industries, collaborating with private and public-sector clients throughout the UK, Ireland, and internationally. In her consultancy practice, Kate delivers strategic insights to leading UK and inter-national clients, leveraging her comprehensive expertise in skills, training, strategy, and policy related to the screen industries’ growth plans. As the founder and Executive Chair of the formally established Animation UK in 2017, Kate represents the sector at the governmental level and formulates business, export, and employment related policies to bolster the industry’s growth. This position situates her at the vanguard of international policy and the analysis of global fiscal and wider developments.
Appointed as Co-Director of XR Stories and the Yorkshire-based Screen Industries Growth Network, Kate supported this government-backed initiative investing in R&D, innovative storytelling and production techniques, such as immersive and interactive content for film, television, and gaming. She led the EDI work and has re-searched and co-authored a report on inclusive working practices in the screen industry partnership with the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Kate’s non-executive roles encompass board membership on numerous UK universities and film schools, a member of the BFI Screen Industries Research Advisory Group, where she served as chair. Kate is a Trustee of You Make IT, a London based charity, a BAFTA member and a member of BAFTAs Children’s Committee.