About

How we’re run

Directors UK is committed to providing transparent and first-class service across all areas of our business.

GOVERNANCE

We are a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, governed by an elected Board of Directors. Our current Chair is drama and factual director Karen Kelly, and our Vice-Chairs are film and TV directors James Hawes and documentary director Zoe Hines. Drawn mostly from our membership, you can find out who else sits on our Board here.

Elections are held every three years. Elections are governed by the Election Regulations. You can find our Articles of Association here.

Every year, we publish our Annual Report and Financial Statements (for the year ending 28 February 2026) and our Annual Transparency Report (for the year ended 28 February 2026).

You can read our previous annual reports here:

Further documentation:

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE ORGANISATION

We have a Directors UK Code of Conduct which sets out important information about the organisation and what members can expect from us. It’s based on the British Copyright Council’s Principles for Collective Management Organisations’ Codes of Conduct, and has been developed in conjunction with the minimum standards for UK collecting societies published by the Government.

CODES OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS

We have a Code of Conduct for members of Directors UK, which covers bullying and harassment, disciplinary procedures and complaints.

We also have a policy relating to the conduct of members towards Directors UK employees.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

If a member feels that we have not acted in accordance with our obligations contained in our Code of Conduct, they should follow our complaints procedure.

Directors UK also operates a formal Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure for Members to deal with complaints by members in relation to breaches of the Code of Conduct for members of Directors UK, breaches of the Policy relating to the Conduct of Members towards Directors UK Employees, breaches of the Directors UK Code of Conduct by a member of Directors UK, or if a member’s conduct brings the standing of Directors UK into disrepute.

If we are unable to resolve a complaint to your satisfaction, the procedures also provide for an independent review of your complaint.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Under the Collective Management of Copyright Regulations 2016, as a rights holder and member, you have certain rights which Directors UK is required to make you aware of.

As a member of Directors UK you have the right:

  • To freely choose and authorise Directors UK to manage your rights and subject matter in relation to your rights, including: categories of rights, types of work (“Your Rights”) in a territory irrespective of your country of nationality or residence.
  • To have Directors UK manage your rights, unless the management of your rights falls outside the scope of Directors UK activity or there is an objectively justified reason why Directors UK may refuse to manage your rights.
  • To have the authorisation and consent to manage your rights evidenced in writing. Directors UK shall document your rights authorisation and consents in the Directors UK DLS Collection Agreement.
  • To terminate or withdraw authorisation of Directors UK to manage your rights, partially or as a whole, by serving reasonable notice not exceeding six months, unless Directors UK decides that such termination or withdrawal may happen before the end of its financial year.
  • That termination or withdrawal from Directors UK managing your rights will not affect (if applicable) any monies due to you at or before termination or withdrawal, your right to request information or to have your complaints handled.
  • On termination of management of your rights with Directors UK you have the right to choose another Collective Management Organisation to manage your rights with no restriction from Directors UK.
Resized Karen Kelly Photo by Jon Cartwright 2024

James Hawes Websizing

Zoe Hines Websizing