Discover the sessions, honourees and programme of speakers from The Spotlight Conference 2025.
The Spotlight Conference, a brand new event bringing together performers, agents and casting professionals, has announced its full programme of speakers and sessions. Taking place on 21 October 2025, the Conference provided a crucial platform for open and honest conversations about the industry’s future, from the role of technology to the evolving dialogue around diversity.
In September 2025, Spotlight members had the chance to apply for a free ticket to The Spotlight Conference. Even if you weren’t successful in applying for one, you could still join some of The Spotlight Conference sessions online via livestream.
Whether you attended the event in-person or watched along online, here are the sessions and speakers from The Spotlight Conference 2025:
Honouring Industry Icons
The Conference honoured three extraordinary individuals whose work has profoundly shaped the performing arts.
The Spotlight Conference Lifetime Achievement in Casting Award goes to legendary casting director Debbie McWilliams. Known for her iconic work on every James Bond film from 1981-2021, Debbie discovered three Bonds – Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig – and helped diversify the franchise.
The Spotlight Conference Broadcast Award is presented to Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at Paramount UK, for his outstanding contribution to job growth. Under his leadership, public service broadcaster 5 (formerly known as Channel 5) has become a leader in homegrown content, commissioning a record-breaking 100+ hours of new UK drama this year alone, and sustaining vital jobs in children’s television.
The Spotlight Conference Discovery Award is presented to pioneering casting director and recent Emmy Award winner, Shaheen Baig, for her unwavering commitment to new talent. Celebrated for championing diverse and authentic voices in projects like Peaky Blinders, Boiling Point, and the 2025 Emmy Award-winning Adolescence, Shaheen is a dedicated advocate for underrepresented talent.
The Spotlight Conference 2025 Programme
The day’s programme was designed to take attendees on a chronological journey, exploring the foundations that have shaped the industry, confronting the issues of today, and collectively building the future.
Welcome Address & Foundations for the Future – A Keynote From Lifetime Award recipient Debbie McWilliams
10 – 11am, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
The Spotlight Conference will open with a welcome address, laying the groundwork for an inspiring day. Debbie McWilliams will then share her keynote, offering insights from her four-decade career of talent discovery. The session will be moderated by casting director Kate Rhodes James.
Now Screening: Image, Voice and Your Digital Footprint
10 – 11am, GBS Theatre
Next, industry consultant and former co-chair of the PMA (Personal Managers Association), Kelly Andrews, delves into actors’ public image and private lives in the age of social media. She’ll be joined on stage by agents Rebecca Blond and Hayley Ori, along with casting director Jessica Jeffries. The discussion will address digital scrutiny and moral obligation clauses, plus how agents and actors (particularly those who are self-represented) can protect their brand.
DEI on Pause: Safeguarding Diverse Casting Pathways
11.30am – 12.30pm, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
Despite the progress that has been made in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), many now feel these hard-won gains are facing setbacks. Spotlight’s expert panel of leading advocates from the racial, disability and LGBTQ+ DEI spaces – Melanie Hoyes (BFI), Nahrein Kemp (ITV), Marcus Ryder (Film and TV Charity), Daniel Edwards CDG, Kelly Valentine Hendry CDG, actors Ash Palmisciano and Gabriella Leon, and agent Ryan Iosco Holmes –will share insights drawn from real-world experiences and data.
Thriving! Not Just Surviving: Fostering a Sustainable and Collaborative Ecosystem
11.30am – 12.30pm, GBS Theatre
Designed for performers and their representatives who are committed to creating a more resilient community, this session will provide concrete, actionable advice for all creative professionals. The panel includes InterTalent’s managing director and talent agent, Alex Segal, tax advisor and accountant from Streets, John Donegan and actor Jonny Weldon.
Outstanding Contribution: A Fireside Chat with Ben Frow
12.40 – 1.10pm, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
Come celebrate Ben Frow’s visionary pivot from unscripted shows to high-quality, homegrown content. Moderated by Andy Brierley CDG, with soecial guest Tamzin Outhwaite, this chat will explore the strategic thinking behind Ben’s success and what it means for the future of British broadcasting.
From Breakdown to Broadcast: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Commercial Castings
12.40 – 1.20pm, GBS Theatre
This session pulls back the curtain on the fast-paced world of commercials and the advertising industry. Gain valuable insight from a panel of leading commercials experts – Ali Fearnley CDA, Hannah Birkett CDA, director Max Fisher, Chris Walker (Director of Public and External Affairs at the Advertising Association) and Miranda Heffernan (Head of Commercials at The Artists Partnership)– on topics like the pace of commercial casting, the art of the self-tape, and a deep dive into the submission processes.
Artificial Intelligence and The Casting Process
2 – 2.50pm, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
We bring together an influential panel of industry leaders to explore rapid technological advancements and address significant questions around the licensing and use of data, especially with self-tapes and photos. Speakers include Rishi Coupland (BFI), casting director Manuel Puro, Lana Veenker ICDA and David Zitzlsperger (Founder of Filmmakers Europe).
Casting for Stage: How Casting Directors Cast
2 – 2.50pm, GBS Theatre
Dive deep into the specific, nuanced world of theatrical casting with our expert panel including Nadine Rennie CDG, Alastair Coomer CDG (Director of Casting at the National Theatre) and Annelie Powell CDG. From subsidised houses to commercial West End productions, regional theatres and fringe companies, this session is an essential exploration of the processes that define casting for the stage.
The Human Future of Talent Discovery: A Conversation with Shaheen Baig & Friends
3 – 3.50pm, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
Join acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning casting director Shaheen Baig as she leads a discussion that champions the human element as a priority asset in casting. The panel will share their practises for discovering and nurturing underrepresented actors who may otherwise have never found their way onto our screens. The session will be moderated by Charles Gant of Screen International and, alongside Shaheen, speakers include director, writer, producer and actor Philip Barantini, actor and founder of Open Door, David Mumeni, CEO of WeAreBridge, Axa Hynes, and actor George MacKay.
The Resilience Toolkit: Navigating Feedback and Industry Pressure
3 – 3.50pm, GBS Theatre
In an industry where ‘no’ is the most common answer, we go beyond simple advice to build empathy, ignite change and equip every professional with a toolkit to thrive in a competitive industry. Speakers include specialist counsellor and founder of Centre Stage Therapy, Annie Jones, theatre director and artistic director of Queer Theatre, Andrew Keates, managing director and agent at Sainou Talent Agent, David Marsden, and Rachel Freck CDG.
Unintended Consequences: Playing Out the Next Five Years
4 – 4.55pm, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
This interactive session will discuss upcoming policy shifts and their potential to create both benefits and unforeseen consequences for the industry. Using The Spotlight Conference app, attendees can vote in real-time on whether proposed changes will improve or hinder the collective future of the creative sector. Spotlight’s managing director, Matt Hood, will moderate this session and will be joined on stage by Kelly Andrews, United Agents Kirk Whelan Foran, BECS Tayyiba Nasser, agent Kate Staddon (Curtis Brown), Ross Grant (Act on This) and performer Tamzin Outhwaite.
Picture Perfect: Nailing Your Headshot Session with YellowBelly Photography
4 – 5pm, GBS Theatre
Join Jackson and Liv, from internationally renowned photography studio YellowBelly, for an honest and inspiring talk on the art, purpose, and power of the modern acting headshot. Whether you’re a drama student or a seasoned performer, this is a practical, empowering session designed to help you understand and take ownership of your professional image — the YellowBelly way.
Keep an eye on our News and Advice page for our upcoming recap on The Spotlight Conference 2025.
