Factual executive producer Sarah Swingler is to be tasked with steering Action for Freelancers’ cross-industry action plan.
Swingler, who has formerly headed up indies Curve Media Wales, Dragonfly West and Tigress Productions, will work with broadcasters and organisations such as Bectu, Pact, ScreenSkills and the Film and TV Charity to drive a programme of change.
Her appointment comes days after Prime Video became the first streamer to sign up to the AfP project.
Based in Bristol but also working in London in the full-time role, Swingler’s work will span working conditions, recruitment, skills and training, mental health, and wellbeing and communication.
“After many years working both as a freelancer and a senior team member within a number of indies, I’ve seen the benefits of fostering a culture that promotes the wellbeing of our freelance workforce,” said Swingler.
“But I’ve also experienced first-hand the lack of protections faced and the myriad ways that impacts the freelance worker.
“I’m energised to be joining Action for Freelancers at such an important time to lead this vital industry-wide collaboration to safeguard the current and future wellbeing of our self-employed community.”
Film and TV Charity chief Marcus Ryder, who helped select Swingler, said of her appointment:
“Her experience as a freelancer and her deep-seated knowledge of how the industry does and far too often doesn’t work is second to none, so she is ideally placed to deliver the laser-focused care and attention the role deserves.
“We’re sure that AfF will be a powerful, positive collaboration and we’re so excited by the opportunity to help deliver the meaningful support our brilliant creative freelancers desperately need.”
As a freelance executive producer, Swingler has recently worked on series two of True North’s Channel 4 series Top Guns and two Curve Media shows: Clean It Fix it for BBC1 and Michael Portillo’s Long Weekends for Channel 5.
She also stood as a councillor for Bristol Central in the 2024 local elections and has been a development coach for Mencap.
