Lord David Puttnam, CBE

Lord David Puttnam spent thirty years as an independent film producer. His many award winning films include The Mission, the Killing Fields, Local Hero, Chariots of Fire, Midnight Express, Bugsy Malone, and the Memphis Belle.

David retired from film production in 1998 and now focuses on his work in education and the environment.   He is Chancellor of the Open University.

In 1998, David founded the National Teaching Awards which he chaired until October 2008.  He served as the first Chair of the General Teaching Council (2000-2002), and on a variety of other public bodies. He was founding Chair of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, and for ten years chaired the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, as well as serving as a Trustee of both the Tate Gallery and the Science Museum.

David has also recently become a Trustee of the Eden Project.  He was also Vice President and Chair of Trustees at BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television Arts) from 1994 to 2004, and was awarded a BAFTA Fellowship in 2006.

David was appointed President of UNICEF UK in July 2002, and played a key role in promoting UNICEF's advocacy, awareness and fundraising objectives. He retired from this post in July 2009.

In February 2006, David became Deputy Chairman of Channel Four, and in April 2006 Chairman of Futurelab. In April 2007, he became the Chairman of Profero. In the same month he was also appointed Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Climate Change Bill Scrutiny Committee. Also in 2007, he was appointed as Chairman of North Music Trust, The Sage Gateshead. Most recently, he was made President of the FDA.

David was awarded a CBE in 1982, received a Knighthood in 1995 and was appointed to the House of Lords in 1997. In France, he has been honoured as a Chevalier (‘85), Officer (’92) and, most recently (2006) Commander of Arts and Letters.