The Right Honourable The Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE DL

The Board and Advisory Council of IMIS were thrilled to learn that member and Fellow, of the association, Floella Benjamin, had been awarded the prestigious Order of Merit. This is a personal award of the Monarch and there can only be twenty-four living Members at any one time. It was, originally created by Edward Vll in 1902.

Writer, actor, director, producer, author, presenter, filmmaker, programme maker, business woman, Government adviser, senior charity official; with so many skills and experience Floella remains a favourite of all those who knew her and loved her as the presenter of the highly successful “Playschool” and “Playaway”.

Past Chair of BAFTA, with a lifetime-achievement award from that organisation and also the famous J.M.Barrie Lifetime achievement award for services to Children.

Deeply involved with the maintenance of standards, Floella has played a leading part in a number of organisations including OFCOM, National Film and Television School and BBFC Children’s Advisory Panel.

Floella has also worked tirelessly for Children’s rights and for their protection Worldwide and encouraging social mobility, for children, at home and abroad. Floella was pivotal in the successful campaign for a Children’s Minister in Government.

Elevated to the peerage in 2010 Floella speaks and is active, in the House of Lords, on a wide range of issues including children, women, equality, diversity, media and the arts. Floella is Vice President of Barnardo’s and continues to serve actively for many charities.

The Order of Merit award was one of the final acts of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. The International Moving Image Society congratulates Floella, and wishes Floella well for all her future endeavours.