THE JUDGES
The Chairmen Of The Board
With one of Soul Music's all-time great group names, The Chairmen Of The Board has pleased music lovers for over 40 years. Formed in Detroit , the Chairmen were one of the first acts signed by songwriting legends Holland/Dozier/Holland for their Invictus label following H/D/H's messy divorce from Motown. The group came out of the box strong in 1970 with the wonderful "Give Me Just A Little More Time," a classic early 70's radio smash hit.
Group leader General Johnson died on October 13, 2010 and Danny Woods January 12, 2017. At the request of General Johnson, to keep the group's legacy strong , 46 year member Ken Knox continues to lead the group touring with members Thomas Hunter and Brandon Stevens and 6 musicians.
In 2015, the group scored a # 5 record on the UK Soul Charts with " Reach Out 2 Me" written by Thomas Hunter, Ken Knox with Production from famed UK Producer Nigel Lowis.
The past few years, The NFL Carolina Panthers have featured the group in a video, and a Half Time Performance and continues to play their music during home games.
Nicholas Gleaves
Nick has worked in Film TV and Theater for the last 25 years in projects ranging from playing leading roles at The National Theater, Scott&bailey for ITV, Marvellous for the BBC, The Demon Headmaster for CBBC and Marvel’s Spiderman Far From Home for the big screen. He has written two plays for Radio4 and has two Border Terrier dogs that he adores...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Gleaves
Mik Scarlet
Mik is best known for presenting the 1992 Emmy Award winning and BAFTA nominated children's television programme Beat That on Channel Four. He won a UNICEF award for work with disabled children.
He has also played several cameo roles in shows such as Brookside and The Bill and was a presenter for BBC2's From the Edge. He has appeared in numerous television programmes including 2point4 Children.
In 2018, Mik was named on The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mik_Scarlet
Satnam Rana
Satnam Rana-Grindley is the Head of Communications at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and a former BBC Correspondent. She is on a career break from the BBC where she worked for 21 years up until last summer but she’s never too far away from her passion – storytelling. Satnam has joined GBSLEP at a crucial time, to help promote the great work that has been carried out in the region since its formation in 2010. GBSLEP’s mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and 5 months into the role, Satnam is getting used to a career change that brings personal growth with a sprinkling of familiarity.
Satnam was born and brought up in Wolverhampton . Her interest in a career in the media and story-telling started when she was very young. She founded and edited theschool newspaper and as a teenager she arranged work experience at local radio stations. She went on to study at Lancaster University where she completed a French and History Joint Honours degree. She graduated in 1999 and started her career at BBC Radio 5Live as a researcher where she worked for just under two years. Satnam joined the Midlands Today team as a trainee journalist in 2002. She presented a weekly radio show on BBC WM called ‘Midlands Masala’ and has also presented on the digital radio station BBC Asian Network. She has also worked as a regional reporter for BBC Radio 5Live.Satnam has worked in several roles; as a producer, director and presenter on regional news and the current affairs programme ‘Inside Out’ in the West Midlands.
Satnam loves to share her passion for media with young people, talking to them about all of the possible careers available to them and inspiring them to follow their dreams. She has worked with the National Council of Journalists (NCTJ) to recruit future journalists onto the Journalism Diversity Fund and she has been a judge for their annual awards.
Satnam lives in Worcestershire with her son and husband. Away from work Satnam does what she can to raise awareness of breast cancer following a diagnosis 3 years ago. She is vocal on social media about ‘self-checking’ and has done numerous talks about her experience. Crucially, she uses her recorded video diaries to campaign at a grass-roots level in south asian communities where the subject of breast cancer still remains ‘hushed’.
If you can’t see Satnam, you can usually hear her laugh from a distance. She enjoys cooking, salsa dancing and bringing people together.
Dame Berta
Dame Berta first appears in the National Archives where, when mentioning her ‘Dameship’, notes that she received this honorarium for “servicing the forces during the war,” and when asked “which war?” She responded “All of them - I don’t keep count these days.”
The Dame has appeared on countless stages (some in proper theatres - with audiences) for pantomimes, charity events, drag shows - and even pops up in the odd pop-video or two. As a proponent of diversity, Dame Berta runs her own business (foamwigs.uk), manufacturing stage costumes and all forms of outrageous headwear.
When asked to become a judge, Dame Berta accepted immediately under the condition that we made it clear that bribery is not an option - although any contributions to her bitch-coin account might help clarify the final vote
Allan Buxton
Allan Buxton is a Nottingham based director and stop motion specialist with 12 years’ experience in the field. Predominantly working in advertising, he’s developed a reputation for delivering content that utilises a human touch to connect with people, driving success for his clients while standing out in its own right as art.
His work comprises modern online advertising campaigns and social media content for a variety of brands, ranging from fashion labels to corporate tech companies. As a compulsive physical creator he designs and builds his own props and sets at his studio/workshop, often taking on full productions as a one man team.
His stop motion work has a playful and sometimes abstract approach to storytelling, yet is permeated with a strict design sensibility garnered through his degree level training in graphic design. A unique blend of creativity through the physical art of stop motion and a razor sharp awareness of visual communication has seen commercial clients approach from near and far.
Jacqui Dunn Jacqui worked in the independent UK film industry for six years in varying roles utilising multiple skill sets. She found her ultimate passion and talent extended into Special Effects props/makeup and is currently on an FdA in Special Effects Makeup Artistry at UCEN Manchester. She is also mum to four wonderful children, three of whom have diagnosed disabilities. Originating from a disadvantaged background her family’s life experiences have fired her determination for enablement and advocacy of individuals and minority communities in our fight for positive changes towards equality and diversity. |
C L Raven C L Raven are horror writers from Cardiff, Wales. They write books, short stories, comics, true crime articles and edit the UK's only pole and aerial magazine. They're worked on a few indie horror films in various crew roles from runners to 2nd AD, and have starred in a horror short, School Hall Slaughter, which is being turned into a feature film. In their spare time they host a horror radio show, look after their army of adopted/rehomed animals, run a mobile pole studio, and are always plotting to overthrow the patriarchy. |
Ben Chapman
I am a multi skilled film maker, and have worked on a wide variety of corporate films, music videos, short films and features. I love most of all films that tell an important, emotional story, and do it in a different way. |
Steve Mitchell I have spent the last 30 years creating theatre and film projects with people with learning and physical disabilities as well as working in main theatre, education and social services. |
Jordan
Oberon Daws |
Jo Baker |
Deb Jackson |
Carl West |