The Directors Guild of Great Britain (DGGB) has deregistered as a trade union and today redefines its role by becoming a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) to support the work of sister charity the Directors Guild Trust in promoting and developing the craft of directing.

The DGGB is continuing its successful activities promoting directors and their work and helping newcomers to the profession with an expanded programme of events, training and awards. The Board will consist of present Council members until new elections are held later in the year.

The DGGB intends to work closely with the newly-formed Directors UK, formerly the Directors & Producers Rights Society, the independent body originally formed by the DGGB in 1987 for the financial benefit of Film and TV Directors. Directors UK, who formally launched on 12th June, has already pledged its support for the Directors Guild Trust.

DGGB Chairman Ivor Benjamin says: “The Guild applauds the creation of Directors UK and supports them wholeheartedly in their efforts to provide a single voice for those British directors working in television and film. Creative and economic rights are the most important bargaining chip that directors possess.”

The DGGB is a cross-media organisation. Ivor Benjamin says: “Britain has a long history of directors moving between stage and screen. Directing can be a lonely profession; the Guild recognises the value of a place for all directors, whatever their background. The future of directing lies in recognising and celebrating what unites us – ambition, good training and shared experiences.”