Lucy Cooper joined Union Visual Effects in April 2016.  As Managing Director, she’s responsible for executing the company’s strategic vision, including business operations, people and new ventures, while ensuring that the culture and identity for which they are known is preserved.

Lucy’s time with Union has witnessed a BAFTA win for Special, Visual Effects for Poor Things and international expansion with the opening of a studio in Montreal.

After gaining a law degree from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Marketing from the University of Strathclyde, Lucy began her career at Scottish Television before a move to London and the world of post production. Her 30 years of experience span a variety of creative companies across broadcast, film and television post production and physical special effects.

In 2008, she joined VFX software vendor The Foundry, where she spent 8 years as a key member of the team that grew the company from 30 passionate people into a 330+ strong company with a valuation of £200M - building critical business connections among artists, studios, industry influencers and organisations, while developing the company’s identity and culture. During her tenure, Foundry products won two Sci-Tech Awards from the Academy of Motion Arts and Science and their software was used on every film awarded the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects since 2011.

Lucy is a passionate advocate for the visual effects industry and plays an active role in shaping its future. A full BAFTA member and member of the Visual Effects Society (VES), she also contributes her expertise to industry advisory boards and judging panels, including FMX, the Royal Television Society and the Broadcast Tech Awards.

Committed to making the industry more inclusive and accessible, Lucy was a founding Director of ACCESS, served on the board of Animated Women UK for more than five years, and continues to mentor through both organisations. She has also completed Cranfield School of Management's Women as Leaders programme, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive leadership and supporting the next generation of creative talent.