Vancouver, B.C. – May 28, 2026 – Creative BC today announced the appointment of Laura Lightbown, a respected motion picture executive and former Creative BC Board member, as its Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026. Ms. Lightbown will work closely with outgoing CEO Prem Gill, who departs on June 26, 2026, to ensure a smooth and effective leadership handover for British Columbia’s vibrant creative industries.
“We are delighted to welcome Laura Lightbown as our Interim CEO,” said Bill Tam, Chair of the Creative BC Board of Directors. “Laura’s distinguished career, coupled with her recent experience as Secretary Treasurer on the Creative BC Board, provides invaluable insight and continuity. Her proven leadership and deep commitment to the sector make her the ideal person to guide Creative BC during this critical interim period, building on the strong foundation Prem has established. The Board has full confidence in Laura’s ability to ensure ongoing stability and support for B.C.’s creative economy.”
Lightbown brings nearly three decades of leadership experience within Canada’s domestic film and television industry. Her extensive career includes producing, executive producing, and advising on feature films and TV series nationwide, demonstrating a deep understanding of the industry’s landscape. A long-standing collaborator with acclaimed B.C. talent, Lightbown notably served as CEO of Haddock Entertainment and held key roles at Sparrow Media Inc., consistently championing Canadian content and talent.
Gill will remain with Creative BC through the handover period, serving as a strategic advisor to Lightbown to facilitate this leadership transfer. This planned partnership reaffirms Creative BC’s unwavering focus on supporting the province’s creative sector.
“It is an honour to step into the role of Interim CEO for Creative BC, an organization I deeply respect and have had the privilege of serving on the Board,” said Laura Lightbown. “I am committed to working closely with Prem to ensure a seamless transition and to leading our dedicated team in maintaining Creative BC’s strong leadership in the sector. B.C.’s creative industries are strong, innovative, and critically important to our economy and culture, and I look forward to working with the team and sector partners during this important period.”
As previously announced, the Creative BC Board of Directors will initiate a comprehensive national search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent non-profit society created and supported by the province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental, and creative potential both at home and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com
Media Contact
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235