ScreenSkills names Sinéad Rocks as CEO

Rocks will take up the role in November 2026. She was most recently Managing Director, Nations and Regions at Channel 4, a position she held from 2019 until stepping down earlier in 2026. 

At Channel 4, Rocks oversaw the rollout of Channel 4’s strategy to increase its Nations and Regions spend on creative content, 4 All the UK, and founded 4Skills, an initiative to tackle sector-wide skills gaps and nurture talent for the industry. She also led on the opening of three Channel 4 regional centres – its National HQ in Leeds and Creative Hubs in Bristol and Glasgow. 

Before joining Channel 4, Rocks was the BBC’s Director of Education, responsible for a range of content across TV, radio, and online. She also played a key role in the BBC’s move to Salford by migrating the BBC’s Learning department to the Northwest. Alongside this, she has chaired the talent and skills working group of the Creative Industries Council. 

Lisa Opie will remain in post as ScreenSkills’s Executive Chair through November 2026, working closely with Rocks and the senior leadership team. 

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Sinéad to ScreenSkills. Her career to date speaks of a strategic leader with a real passion for putting national and regional talent on the industry map,” said Opie. 

Rocks added: “I am really excited to be joining ScreenSkills. I know first-hand how important the organisation is to the sector and the impact it has had. This is a time of real opportunity, helping employers and the workforce respond to emerging changes and making sure that no matter your background or circumstances, everyone has the support to access, sustain, and progress through their careers in our sector.” 

A recent ScreenSkills report found the UK screen sector needs to invest in mid-level specialists to stay competitive. Discover more here.