Dan Lawson

Role: Parent Trustee and Chair of Finance and Operations Subcommittee

Parent Trustee and Chair of Finance and Operations Subcommittee

Parent Trustee and Chair of Finance and Operations Subcommittee

Dan Lawson is a Parent Trustee and Chair of the Finance and Operations Subcommittee.

Dan recently assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer at Escape Studios, a premier institution for animation, games, and VFX education in the UK.

Before joining Escape, Dan served as COO at the London Film School, where he successfully managed Finance, HR, IT, and Facilities.

Collaborating with the CEO, management team, and Board of Governors, Dan played a crucial role in securing the school’s position among the Top 15 International Film Schools by Hollywood Reporter and obtaining World-Leading Specialist Provider status from the Office for Students.

During his tenure, Dan prioritized sustaining growth while preserving the school’s unique pedagogy, advancing estate and facility improvements, and implementing new strategic planning. He successfully navigated unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to his role at the London Film School, Dan led a multimillion-pound film and TV investment fund, earning accolades such as BAFTAs and Golden Globes for projects like Line of Duty, Dancing on the Edge, and Nativity! 2. He also fostered new British filmmaking talent by commissioning over 50 short films with the UK Film Council/BFI, contributing to the development of emerging writing, directing, and producing talent.

A member of BAFTA and the Royal Television Society, Dan is a Fellow of the RSA, and chairs the board of trustees at Flatpack Projects.