NFTS Hosts Moving Memorial for Nik Powell OBE

Wednesday 22 January saw the NFTS host a memorial celebrating the life and achievements of Nik Powell OBE, who spent 14 years as Director of the School. The event, held at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, was a rousing tribute attended by hundreds of Nik’s family, friends and colleagues from across the industry, culminating with an emotional standing ovation that Nik would most likely have described as ‘mega’ (one of his favourite words).

Amidst much laughter and tears, heartfelt speeches were delivered by current NFTS Director Jon Wardle, Nik’s childhood friend Sir Richard Branson with whom he co-founded Virgin Records, Stephen Woolley, his Palace Pictures business partner and Michael Kuhn, former Chairman of the NFTS.

The day was an opportunity for those who knew and loved Nik to come together and remember a man who made an impact on everyone he met. A natural communicator with a boundless zest for life and an unwavering love of Arsenal (not to mention giving presentations using Comic Sans), Nik’s passion for the NFTS and his determination to see our students achieve their dreams always saw him go above and beyond.

We will continue to take the School Nik helped shape into one of the best in world to new heights, powered by the same zeal he brought to everything throughout a life that has left behind a real and lasting legacy. 

It's not too late to donate to the Nik Powell Scholarship Fund to enable emerging producers of the future to attend the NFTS.