Niyi Akeju

Niyi heads up communications for BBC Film, which she joined in October 2021 as maternity cover for Emma Hewitt, leading on press and marketing and with responsibility for overall brand strategy. She has two decades’ experience working in the UK film sector.

Before BBC Film, Niyi was a Senior PR Manager at the BFI, driving strategic messaging across activities to support film production, distribution and skills development. During over 10 years at BAFTA, Niyi oversaw corporate communications and devised a range of long-standing initiatives including the organisation’s first ever mentorships and the BAFTA Scholarship Programme for aspiring filmmakers. She has also acted as a consultant to industry-led skills body ScreenSkills.

Niyi began her career in public relations with leading global PR agencies Hill + Knowlton and Edelman before joining the UK Film Council where she spent time as Diversity Executive.