The Spotlight Conference

Featuring key voices from the industry, the full programme of speakers, sessions and honourees at Spotlight’s inaugural conference has been revealed.

The Spotlight Conference Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in Casting is presented to legendary casting director Debbie McWilliams. Known for her iconic work on every James Bond film from 1981-2021, McWilliams discovered three Bonds - Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig - and helped diversify the franchise.

Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at Paramount 5, receives The Spotlight Conference Broadcast Award for Outstanding Contribution to Job Growth in the UK. Under his leadership, public service broadcaster 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 for Unwavering Commitment to New Talent is presented to pioneering casting director and recent Emmy award winner, Shaheen Baig. Celebrated for championing diverse and authentic voices in Peaky Blinders, Boiling Point, and 2025 Emmy Award winning Adolescence, Baig is a dedicated advocate for underrepresented talent.

The Spotlight Conference will open with Foundations for the Future which will lay the groundwork for an inspiring day of conversation. Debbie McWilliams shares her keynote offering unparalleled insights from her five-decade career of talent discovery.