Olsberg•SPI Announces Promotion of Leon Forde to New CEO Role

Olsberg•SPI (SPI) today announces the promotion of our managing director Leon Forde to the newly-created position of Chief Executive Officer.

Previously SPI’s managing director, Leon will take on a new strategic leadership role focused on further development of SPI’s fast-growing global business. This includes the key North American market, as well as developing the company’s presence in mature and emerging territories across the world. He will also continue to lead the company’s London-based team of 14 executives.

SPI founder and executive chair Jonathan Olsberg has also relocated from London to the US to continue driving SPI’s expansion across North America, as well as continuing his work with a range of international clients.

Jonathan Olsberg said:

“Leon’s contribution to SPI’s considerable growth in recent years has been outstanding. This appointment not only recognises that fact but also enhances his role in leading the company into the next exciting decade of corporate development.”

Leon Forde said:

“The past five years in particular have seen significant expansion in our business globally, and I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this new role to continue driving SPI’s growth, working with Jonathan and our colleagues to deliver at the highest levels for our clients around the world, helping them navigate the rapidly shifting screen sector. SPI has the most incredible team of experts, and together we are building something special with work that impacts all corners of the globe.”

Leon joined SPI in 2014. He has a background in film business journalism, including at Screen International. He is a member of Bafta and was selected to join the British Screen Forum’s Future Leaders Forum in 2017. He has overseen a range of groundbreaking research and consultancy projects around the world while at SPI, including the development and re-engineering of screen production incentives in various international markets.

Read the full press release here.

Read Screen International's story here.

Email Emma Openshaw on emma@o-spi.com for more information.