Bristol Old Vic Theatre School today announces that Fiona Francombe has been appointed as the School’s new Principal/CEO. Currently Director of The Bottle Yard Studios, Francombe will take up her new position at the School ahead of the autumn term.

• Fiona Francombe, the driving force behind the West of England’s leading film & TV facility The Bottle Yard Studios, will join the School this summer
• Francombe has been instrumental in raising Bristol’s profile as an international hub for TV and film production
• A recipient of UWE Bristol’s Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts for ‘exceptional contribution to film and television’, she brings a wealth of experience to the School as it approaches its 75^th anniversary year

Francombe trained in technical theatre at Rose Bruford College, before embarking on a career in stage management, working at Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She moved into the TV industry in 1990 in London, joining the BBC’s Drama department as a runner.

Following her move to Bristol in 1993, Francombe worked both for the BBC and as a freelancer for a variety of television dramas as a location manager and producer, before going on to manage production liaison for South West Screen and Creative England. In response to the BBC’s 2009 decision to relocate production of dramas such as Casualty to Cardiff, she successfully lobbied Bristol City Council for support in retaining production industries in the city. In 2010 she went on to establish The Bottle Yard Studios in previously disused warehouses on a seven-acre site situated on the southern outskirts of Bristol. The Council-owned studios are now established as one of the leading production facilities in the country, contributing greatly to the millions generated by the media sector for the local economy each year.

Over the past decade, more than 60 titles have been produced at the Studios, including high-end TV dramas Poldark, Broadchurch, Wolf Hall, The Trial of Christine Keeler and The Pale Horse, light entertainment programmes such as The Crystal Maze and Tipping Point, and children’s favourites such as the green-screen series Andy’s Adventures. In addition to a permanent tenant community of more than 20 creative businesses, Francombe has also established on site classrooms which now house more than 60 16–19-year-olds studying Film & TV Production and Stage & Screen Production Arts Diplomas in a working environment. She has consistently championed Bristol as an international hub for film and TV production and was instrumental in the city’s successful bids to become a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 and a Channel 4 creative hub in 2019.

Fiona Francombe, newly-appointed Principal of BOVTS, says:

 “BOVTS is a gem of an institution and part of one of the UK’s leading conservatoires. I have always respected and admired its extraordinary reputation for nurturing excellent talent, from my years starting out in theatre stage management, to my subsequent move into television and more recently as visiting guest lecturer for the BOVTS Film/TV department.

“I’m very excited to be joining the team, and personally pleased to be bringing my professional career full circle. I have always wanted to make a difference for Bristol; this move will allow me to continue to do so after ten years developing The Bottle Yard Studios into a competitive film and television hub the city can be proud of.”

Francombe is no stranger to BOVTS graduates either. Countless School acting and production alumni have filmed at the Studios for internationally-acclaimed productions including Tala Gouveia starring in ITV crime drama McDonald and Dodds, Sean Pertwee in the BBC’s latest Agatha Christie thriller The Pale Horse – along with BOVTS graduates serving as script supervisors, location managers and costume assistants; Theo James and Adrian Scarborough in ITV’s recent Austen adaptation Sanditon; and Laura Carmichael in Starz’ historical drama The Spanish Princess.

Oscar®, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner and BOVTS alumna Olivia Colman also filmed the final series of Broadchurch at the Studios, the crime drama which propelled her to international stardom. The series was produced by another BOVTS alumnus, Dan Winch.    

Dan Winch, BOVTS alumnus and Producer of TV dramas such as ITV’s Quiz and Broadchurch, says:

“Recently, we worked together on the final series of Broadchurch, a show Fiona had been instrumental in helping set up in Bristol and the South West. 

“Fi’s incredible experience, understanding of the complexities of creative relationships, passion for the creative industries and ambition have brought huge success to Bristol in recent years.

“Highly respected and admired by all those who’ve worked with and alongside her, both in front of and behind the camera, Fi’s warmth and supportive approach to all she undertakes makes her the most brilliant fit for BOVTS.”

The news of Francombe’s appointment comes following the announcement in December that current Principal, Paul Rummer, would be retiring after thirteen years at the helm of BOVTS – and thirty-five years at the School in total. Francombe is set to join BOVTS in August, as the School approaches its 75th birthday celebrations next year.

Lucy Bowden, Chair of Governors for BOVTS, says:

“I am absolutely delighted that Fiona is joining the School and I believe that she will take it forward with passion, energy and confidence. This is an unprecedented time, when the pressures on conservatoire training have never been greater. But Fiona brings huge practical and commercial experience in the arts, and this will be invaluable in continuing the School’s success.

“As well as a solid track record working in theatre, she has been at the forefront of the digital world whilst at The Bottle Yard Studios, an area becoming ever more significant with the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Fiona has a love for the city of Bristol. Under her leadership, I’m confident that the School will continue to thrive locally, as well as nationally and internationally, consolidating Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s reputation as a world-class institution for drama and production arts training.”

Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Finance, Governance, Performance and Culture, says:

“Fiona has played a crucial role in establishing and developing the city’s internationally-renowned film and TV sector. During this time, she has been a key advocate for Bristol which has contributed greatly to our UNESCO City of Film status and being named as one of the new homes of Channel 4. “Whilst we are sad to see her leave, I am delighted to see her take up a post at one of the city’s key culture institutions where she can continue to play a leading role in our city’s development journey.”

Alumni of the School include Oscar winners Olivia Colman, Daniel Day-Lewis and Jeremy Irons, along with countless other household names such as Patrick Stewart, Naomie Harris, Gene Wilder, Josh O’Connor and Erin Doherty. Non-acting alumni sustain the creative and production sides of the industry and include Gregory Doran and Erica Whyman, the Artistic Director and Deputy Artistic Director of the RSC, respectively; the Tony Award-winning designer Bob Crowley; and the producer of TV dramas such as Broadchurch, A Very English Scandal and Quiz, Dan Winch. For further information, see: oldvic.ac.uk/alumni.

Film and TV production is taught at the Theatre School within the BA Production Arts degree course, whilst acting students also receive training in acting for screen media. Production students undertake an 11-week term at the School’s own Christchurch Studios which houses dedicated spaces for film and audio recording along with post-production facilities. Students from other courses including MA Performance Design, MA Scenic Art, MA Drama Writing and FdA/BA Costume are also trained for careers working behind the scenes in film and TV. For further information, see oldvic.ac.uk/production.

The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama is a collaboration among six member schools delivering world-leading education and specialist vocational training in dance, drama, circus arts and production arts. Located at the heart of three vibrant cultural centres in London, Bristol and Leeds, the Conservatoire member schools are: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Central School of Ballet, London Contemporary Dance School, National Centre for Circus Arts, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. For further information, see cdd.ac.uk.

More about Fiona Francombe
Fiona Francombe sits on the Royal Television Society West committee, BBC/Bristol City Partnership Steering Group, the One City Economy Board, is a Trustee of the Cathedral Schools Trust and a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers. In recognition of her ‘exceptional contribution to film and TV’, she was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts in 2019 by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). In 2017 she received the Women of the Year Award from the Bath Chronicle & Bristol Post for outstanding leadership. She was named as one of Bristol’s most influential people by Bristol 24/7 earlier this year.