The main ambition for this project was to better understand why the production management roles consistently
head the lists of skills shortages and skills gaps identified within the UK television industry. In particular it sought
to understand why the industry struggles to recruit to these posts, why it fails to retain experienced PMs and
how it might adapt to better attract and retain PMs in the future. With these ends in mind, it set out to provide
insights into the experiences and motivations of PMs and those in other production management roles who
constitute the ‘talent pipeline’ in this respect – both those currently working in the industry and those who have
left. It aimed to identify and share a range of practical strategies to protect those working in these roles and
benefit the wider industry.

The primary research was undertaken over the course of 2023, beginning with an online survey which ran for
three weeks in the spring of that year, followed later by a series of in-depth interviews. This data is drawn from the results of the Multiple Choice Questions in that survey.  the results of the free text replies are not included as these may identify individuals.