Monisha Shah

Biography
I work independently in the media and entertainment business, with a special interest in the international exploitation of intellectual property across television, publishing and digital media.
My last job was with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, as Director of Sales for Emerging and Developed Markets across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa with specific responsibility for delivering annual sales revenues in excess of £80m. As part of my remit, I also initiated and delivered the strategy for the development of a variety of international business ventures which included licensing content, production partnerships, publishing distribution partnerships, development of local productions, sourcing funds for co-productions and the exploitation of intellectual property on digital and mobile platforms. I served on the Boards of BBC Worldwide's joint ventures in India for radio and magazines, and on the Board of BBC World India, a wholly owned subsidiary of BBC World News. In April 2010, after 10 years at BBC Worldwide, I made the decision not to return immediately to a full-time role after maternity leave but to increase my non executive commitments, working with companies that I care about.
Born and raised in Bombay, I hold a Masters degree from SOAS, University of London, as well as an Executive MBA from the London Business School. I was elected Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in February 2009.
Why I wanted to become a Tate Trustee
I grew up in India where there are, for very good reason, relatively few public resources for the support of the arts. I still remember being blown away the first time I saw a collection of impressionist paintings in real life (as a young adult) which I had only ever seen in books and postcards! Over the years, and as my travel and experience of other countries has grown, I have to appreciate the enormous privilege of having access to the visual arts thanks to the work of galleries such as Tate.
I believe that Tate performs a really important role in public interest, both for national audiences but also as a leading example to international communities seeking to increase the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of art. I am honoured to have the opportunity to be able to use my skills and experience in international business and new media to play an active role in the governance of this fantastic family of galleries.
Appointment Information
Appointed by: Prime Minister
Appointment: 1 August 2007
Term expires: 31 July 2011
Other Membership:
- Tate Enterprises Ltd
- Tate Modern Council
- Ethics Committee
- Freedom of Information Appeals Committee
Declaration of Members' Interests between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011
Employment1
BBC Worldwide Ltd, resigned 2010
Director, Hogerty Hill Ltd
Directorships of companies2
Next Mediaworks, India (NED)
Membership of non-profit making organisations3
nil
Shareholding4
nil
Connections between Trustees and others connected with Tate5
nil
Any other interests6
My brother, Samir Shah, OBE, is a Trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Signed and Dated by Monisha Shah on 4 April 2011
Notes:
- Employment, remunerated trade, profession, public office or consultancy
- Directorships of companies, both public and private, both remunerated and unremunerated
- Membership of non-profit making organisations, clubs or associations and professional bodies which have significant dealings with Tate or whose activities could relate to Tate's work
- Names of companies and organisations in which the member or his/her family or associates has a controlling interest or shares or securities and which could be involved in the supply of goods or have business dealings with Tate
- This includes commercial interests with other Trustees, Tate’s lawyers (Withers; Linklaters; Brachers) and Tate’s auditors (National Audit Office; RSM Bentley and Grant Thornton).
- Trustees are advised to declare anything which a member of the public, knowing the facts, might reasonably think is significant and relevant.
