Simone Pennant MBE: TV Craft Special Award 2026

Simone Pennant MBE, founder and CEO of The TV Collective, has received this year’s BAFTA Television Craft Special Award.

Pennant’s extraordinary leadership, and the lasting legacy of change she has brought to the screen industries over the last two decades was recognised at the 2026 Television Craft Awards with Samsung OLED.

Speaking ahead of accepting her award Pennant said: “The measure of success for me is an industry where people like me are no longer needed as advocates. Where everyone, particularly those who feel most marginalised, can build careers that are lasting and sustainable. That is the world I am working towards. And for me, this award is not a destination, it is a reminder of how far we still have to go.”

A driver of systematic change Pennant founded The TV Collective (TVC) in 2008 as a platform dedicated to supporting and showcasing Black and Global Majority talent working behind the camera in the UK screen industries. It had a clear mission to ensure global majority creatives can access, progress and thrive across the screen industries.

Over the years TVC has been credited with shifting broadcaster attitudes towards inclusion and has had immeasurable positive impact on freelancers in the industry. Its work connects creatives to paid opportunities, to others in the community, and to the rooms where decisions are made.

Reacting to the news she was receiving the BAFTA TV Craft Special Award Pennant said she was truly honoured especially as it came from her peers. Reflecting: “As part of the community I serve – global majority creatives who show up and back ourselves every day despite the barriers we face. This award belongs to us.”

One of the instrumental programmes that Pennant’s TVC has championed is Breakthrough Leaders which is now in its fifth year. Created to “address the lack of visible and sustained progression opportunities for mid-to-senior level creatives from minoritised communities” it was co-developed with industry coach Remy Blumenfeld.

Delivered in partnership with BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount UK, Prime Video and Fremantle, Breakthrough Leaders identifies 50 exceptional individuals each year to coach and support. The programme is aimed at “helping to ensure the next generation of creative leaders truly reflects the audiences we serve” supporting participants with tailored coaching, industry access, and strategic support. Since its creation it has supported over 250 senior creatives into influential and decision-making roles with alumni winning BAFTAs, RTS and Grierson Awards.

Other programmes creating huge positive impact with Pennant at the helm of TVC are the TVC Indie Accelerator – delivered in partnership with Channel 4 and Channel 5 and the soon to be launched Breakthrough Leaders Global and AI-powered platform AskTVC.

A BAFTA Special Award is one of the academy’s highest honours recognising an outstanding contribution to film, games or television. You can see more award winners in our Awards database.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA Award Stories.