Pia is an established creative professional, recognised as one of the first Intimacy Coordinators to work in Europe. Since introducing this role to Finland in 2019, she has been instrumental in defining professional standards and best practices in the EU and UK. Pia is an Acting Coach, SAG-AFTRA registered intimacy coordinator and Bectu UK registered intimacy coordinator (level 2), based in London.
Pia has supported productions for both series and feature films including Apple TV+, Netflix, BBC, Sky, Warner Bros, YLE, Aamu Film Company and Helsinki-filmi. In 2023, Pia received the “Deed of the Year Award” from Filmiaura at the Finnish Film Awards (Jussi Gaala) for her contributions to fostering a safer film industry in Finland. A passionate storyteller and with a background in directing and coaching, Pia brings precise, embodied understanding of physical storytelling and the actor’s craft to her every project. Her compassionate approach enables compelling expression and emotional availability whilst ensuring safety, wellbeing and best practice for cast, creatives & crew.
Pia, originally from Finland, trained as a Director at Drama Centre London and she later specialised in Actor Training and Coaching, gaining an MA from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Pia’s prior on-set experience as an assistant director and production manager, and her vast skillset and experience in actor training and coaching, honed in her role as Senior Lecturer in Acting, influence her facilitation of intimate storytelling and how she supports the performers and creatives. Through trauma-informed and inclusive approach to advocacy and choreography, she ensures a safer working environment for all those involved from initial pre-production to final release.
Pia ventured into Intimacy Coordination through her teaching and research in acting & performance in Higher Education. Following extensive training, she has integrated her expertise back into the film and television industry, becoming the first Intimacy Coordinator in Finland in 2019. At the time the role was still in its infancy in the UK and she has since worked extensively across the field in bringing awareness to safer intimacy practices in arts and entertainment. Pia pioneered the role in award-winning feature films like Tove and Girl Picture, and in the UK she has worked on shows such as Romantic Getaway, The Diplomat and Ted Lasso.
Pia is co-founder and IC trainer at Nordic Intimacy Coordinators, delivering uniquely positioned, high-quality training for next generation of intimacy coordinators in Europe. She regularly visits at various film and drama schools across UK and Finland.
Published work:
- Chapter 8 on Actor Boundaries in Stanislavsky & Intimacy – published by Routledge in 2023 (Author)
- Higher Education Intimacy guidelines for the UK – published by Equity & Bectu in 2023 (Co-author)
- Guidance for Shooting Intimacy for the UK – published by Bectu in 2022 (Contributor)
- Guide for working with an Intimacy Coordinator– published by Finnish Film Foundation, Audiovisual Producers APFI and Actors’ Union in Finland in 2021 (Author)
- Intimacy guidelines for Camera work – published by Finnish Film Foundation in 2020 (Contributor)
Pia’s interviews about her work can be found in newspapers, podcasts and TV if you go to Press, as well as in these books below
- A History of Intimacy Professionals in Entertainment (Haney 2025)
- Neitoperhot ja pahanhautojat (Semeri & Virtanen 2023).
Pia has introduced the role of the Intimacy Coordinator to film, television, theatre, opera and creative education sectors, and she has helped to integrate intimacy as part of contemporary actor training at various university programmes. In 2020, Pia founded The Intimacy Practitioners’ Guild IPG along with fellow intimacy professionals.
Beyond her work on set, Pia delivers talks, lectures and workshops for organisations, companies and events in the industry as well as for universities, drama and film schools. Pia also provides consultation services to production companies, individuals, Higher Education Institutions and arts organisations.
Professional recognition/ Accreditation: HEA Fellowship, BECTU Intimacy Coordinator Registry, SAG-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator Registry
Pia is a qualified First Aider and Mental Health First Aider. She has both PART Certification and NSPCC training for safeguarding child actors in the entertainment industry. CRISP, enhanced DBS certificate and full CV are available upon request. Pia is available for work in the UK and all across Europe.
You can find out more about Pia’s work at IMDb or connect with her on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Any questions? Do get in touch!
Pia Rickman 