Jane Tranter Honoured with Chair’s Award for Excellence at the Wales Director of the Year Awards

The prestigious award recognises Jane’s exceptional leadership, innovation, and contribution to the creative industries, both in Wales and internationally. The ceremony will take place on Friday 9th May, at ICC Wales, Newport, where business leaders from across Wales will gather to celebrate outstanding achievements in leadership.

Jane has been a driving force in modernising and globalising the British television industry. During her time at the BBC, where she was Controller of Drama Commissioning, then Head of Fiction, before moving to Los Angeles in 2009 to found production companies BBC Worldwide Productions and Adjacent Productions for BBC Worldwide, she played a key part in bringing critically acclaimed series like Spooks, Life on Mars, and Rome to audiences worldwide.

Through her production company, Bad Wolf, which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, she has continued to shape the industry, producing hit shows such as Industry, His Dark Materials, A Discovery of Witches and Doctor Who.

Jane’s visionary leadership and ability to nurture creative talent have cemented her reputation as a driving force in the industry. Her contributions extend beyond production, as she has also championed skills development and workforce growth in Wales through Screen Alliance Wales (SAW), ensuring a thriving creative sector for future generations.

Jane’s decision to establish Bad Wolf in Cardiff was driven by her belief in Wales’ potential to support large-scale, high-quality productions. Recognising the need for a skilled and diverse workforce, she co-founded Screen Alliance Wales to provide hands-on training, work placements, and education initiatives for individuals from all backgrounds.

“When we decided to base Bad Wolf in Cardiff, our belief was that Wales had the locations, crew and supply chain to cope with the biggest and most prestigious productions. We knew we would not – and could not – do this without growing and nurturing the talent we have here in Wales,” said Jane.

Since its inception, Screen Alliance Wales has delivered education and training to over 70,000 people, from schoolchildren exploring creative careers to professionals developing their expertise. Jane’s dedication to making the industry more accessible and sustainable has transformed opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and production crews in Wales.

Richard Selby MBE, National Chair of IoD Wales, praised Tranter’s outstanding contributions, stating:

“Jane Tranter has not only elevated the global profile of Welsh television drama production but has also created a lasting legacy through her investment in skills development. Her leadership, vision, and commitment to fostering talent make her a truly deserving recipient of this year’s Chair’s Award for Excellence.”

Jo Price, Nations Manager at the Institute of Directors in Wales, also highlighted the significance of Tranter’s win:

“Jane’s impact on the creative industries in Wales cannot be overstated. She has championed the development of skills and talent, ensuring Wales is recognised as a centre for world-class television production. Her leadership and influence have set a benchmark for excellence, and we are proud to honour her achievements with this award.”

The Wales Director of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of business leaders across all sectors, recognising those who have made a profound impact on their industries and communities. Jane Tranter’s award reflects her remarkable influence on television, leadership excellence, and unwavering dedication to Wales’ creative economy.

Alongside Jane, 10 other business leaders will also be recognised at the awards across categories including Non-Executive Director (NED), Innovation, International, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).

More information on the awards and tickets can be found here.