The Coalition for Change, the UK freelance collective set up in 2020, has set out a long-term strategy including a target to create a pipeline for its freelancers’ charter at the begininng, middle and end of all TV productions.
In an email sent out to members, seen by Deadline, Coalition founder Adeel Amini said the charter will relaunch soon to “establish it within the public consciousness,” with additions from newer member groups such as the Jack Thorne-backed TV Access Project and Ciisa, the new independent anti-bullying complaints body, which will go live next year.
Unveiled at Edinburgh TV Festival in 2021, the charter sets out terms for freelancers in areas such as recruitment, workplace culture, bullying and harassment, and conduct. It was adopted by British broadcasters, some streamers and trade bodies such as Pact and the BFI.
“We would like to create a pipeline for the Charter at the beginning, middle,...
In an email sent out to members, seen by Deadline, Coalition founder Adeel Amini said the charter will relaunch soon to “establish it within the public consciousness,” with additions from newer member groups such as the Jack Thorne-backed TV Access Project and Ciisa, the new independent anti-bullying complaints body, which will go live next year.
Unveiled at Edinburgh TV Festival in 2021, the charter sets out terms for freelancers in areas such as recruitment, workplace culture, bullying and harassment, and conduct. It was adopted by British broadcasters, some streamers and trade bodies such as Pact and the BFI.
“We would like to create a pipeline for the Charter at the beginning, middle,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadcasters back support package amid rise in applications.
The UK’s Film & TV Charity has added £500,000 to its stop-gap grants funding to support film and TV workers amid an economic crisis exacerbated by the US strikes.
The extra cash comes after the charity held a briefing call with representatives from the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Prime Video, who pledged further donations to bolster its budget. Other partners are expected to add to the overall pot.
The move was triggered by an 800% rise in applications for stop-gap grants in July compared with the same month last year. The...
The UK’s Film & TV Charity has added £500,000 to its stop-gap grants funding to support film and TV workers amid an economic crisis exacerbated by the US strikes.
The extra cash comes after the charity held a briefing call with representatives from the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Prime Video, who pledged further donations to bolster its budget. Other partners are expected to add to the overall pot.
The move was triggered by an 800% rise in applications for stop-gap grants in July compared with the same month last year. The...
- 8/21/2023
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
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British network Channel 4 has appointed Marcia Williams as its first director of inclusion.
Williams, who has a career in inclusion and diversity spanning almost 30 years, including at the U.K. Film Council, will join the company from Transport for London in August, report to Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon and will also become a member of the executive management board.
“Channel 4 believes that everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity, sexuality or ability should be respected for their point of view and values, recognized for their unique skills and capabilities and both enabled and supported to be their genuine selves,” said Mahon. “This newly created role not only recognizes Channel 4’s successful history of pioneering change in diversity and inclusion that has inspired change in the creative industries and beyond, but also the ongoing imperative to ensure that inclusion and diversity is truly embedded in everything that we do.
British network Channel 4 has appointed Marcia Williams as its first director of inclusion.
Williams, who has a career in inclusion and diversity spanning almost 30 years, including at the U.K. Film Council, will join the company from Transport for London in August, report to Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon and will also become a member of the executive management board.
“Channel 4 believes that everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity, sexuality or ability should be respected for their point of view and values, recognized for their unique skills and capabilities and both enabled and supported to be their genuine selves,” said Mahon. “This newly created role not only recognizes Channel 4’s successful history of pioneering change in diversity and inclusion that has inspired change in the creative industries and beyond, but also the ongoing imperative to ensure that inclusion and diversity is truly embedded in everything that we do.
- 7/13/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed its first director of inclusion.
Marcia Williams, who will take up the post in August, joins from Transport for London, where she currently holds the title of director of diversity, inclusion and talent. She will report to Channel 4’s CEO Alex Mahon and also sit on Channel 4’s executive management board. Her responsibilities will be overseeing inclusion and diversity strategy.
The 4Inclusion team will report to Williams, who will share reporting responsibility for the creative diversity team with director of commissioning operations Emma Hardy.
Williams has previously worked in similar roles at companies including U.K. Film Council, the British Treasury and the Law Society of England and Wales.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Channel 4’s executive leadership team in this newly created role. Channel 4 has pioneered in this field with its distinctive remit,” said Williams. “This new role is an...
Marcia Williams, who will take up the post in August, joins from Transport for London, where she currently holds the title of director of diversity, inclusion and talent. She will report to Channel 4’s CEO Alex Mahon and also sit on Channel 4’s executive management board. Her responsibilities will be overseeing inclusion and diversity strategy.
The 4Inclusion team will report to Williams, who will share reporting responsibility for the creative diversity team with director of commissioning operations Emma Hardy.
Williams has previously worked in similar roles at companies including U.K. Film Council, the British Treasury and the Law Society of England and Wales.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Channel 4’s executive leadership team in this newly created role. Channel 4 has pioneered in this field with its distinctive remit,” said Williams. “This new role is an...
- 7/13/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Channel 4 has appointed its first ever Director of Inclusion to oversee diversity strategy for the It’s a Sin broadcaster, who will sit on the Executive Management Board.
Marcia Williams, who has 30 years experience working for the likes of the Treasury, Transport for London and The Law Society of England and Wales, will lead the 4Inclusion team and share dual responsibility for the Creative Diversity unit, which is responsible for representation on-screen. That team is co-led by Director of Commissioning Operations Emma Hardy and includes recently-appointed Head of Creative Diversity Naomi Sesay.
The move will “enable the creation of a cohesive and complementary strategy that will ensure that Channel 4 continues to foster an inclusive workplace culture and remains at the forefront of inclusion and diversity in the UK,” according to the pubcaster.
CEO Alex Mahon said: “This newly created role not only recognizes Channel 4’s successful history of pioneering...
Marcia Williams, who has 30 years experience working for the likes of the Treasury, Transport for London and The Law Society of England and Wales, will lead the 4Inclusion team and share dual responsibility for the Creative Diversity unit, which is responsible for representation on-screen. That team is co-led by Director of Commissioning Operations Emma Hardy and includes recently-appointed Head of Creative Diversity Naomi Sesay.
The move will “enable the creation of a cohesive and complementary strategy that will ensure that Channel 4 continues to foster an inclusive workplace culture and remains at the forefront of inclusion and diversity in the UK,” according to the pubcaster.
CEO Alex Mahon said: “This newly created role not only recognizes Channel 4’s successful history of pioneering...
- 7/13/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Channel 4’s former interim head of creative diversity, Naomi Sesay, has been permanently appointed to the role.
Sesay, who will start in early February, will report to director of commissioning operations Emma Hardy.
Previously she was the interim head of creative diversity at the broadcaster in 2019 before moving onto a range of industries including film, government and other organizations.
Sesay will be responsible for developing and delivering Channel 4’s diversity strategy including diversity initiatives, training and mentoring. She will also ensure the broadcaster continues to foster its relationships with the U.K.’s diverse creative communities.
“At Channel 4, we are committed to increasing diversity on and off screen, so it is great to welcome Naomi back to Channel 4,” Hardy said in a statement. “She brings with her a newfound wealth of experience after working with a wide range of industries. I look forward to working with her and my...
Sesay, who will start in early February, will report to director of commissioning operations Emma Hardy.
Previously she was the interim head of creative diversity at the broadcaster in 2019 before moving onto a range of industries including film, government and other organizations.
Sesay will be responsible for developing and delivering Channel 4’s diversity strategy including diversity initiatives, training and mentoring. She will also ensure the broadcaster continues to foster its relationships with the U.K.’s diverse creative communities.
“At Channel 4, we are committed to increasing diversity on and off screen, so it is great to welcome Naomi back to Channel 4,” Hardy said in a statement. “She brings with her a newfound wealth of experience after working with a wide range of industries. I look forward to working with her and my...
- 2/3/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 4 has revealed several further steps to increase Black representation in the U.K. industry following its “Black to Front” day of programming on Sept. 10.
The measures include a dedicated fund for commissions from ethnically diverse-led independent production companies, tripling current spend to £22 million ($29.5 million) by 2023. Starting in 2022, each genre will also commission at least one new show with ethnically diverse talent and/or ethnically diverse stories at its heart every year. In addition, from January 2022, every Channel 4 commissioning editor will have at least one ethnically diverse-led indie on their development slate.
Further, supported and funded by 4Skills, Channel 4 will partner with We Are Parable to deliver “Momentum,” a mentorship and training program for Black talent that will run across six U.K. cities in 2022.
“Black to Front” was an industry-first event, where the entire Channel 4 schedule for Sept. 10 — including commercial breaks — featured Black on- and off-screen talent.
The measures include a dedicated fund for commissions from ethnically diverse-led independent production companies, tripling current spend to £22 million ($29.5 million) by 2023. Starting in 2022, each genre will also commission at least one new show with ethnically diverse talent and/or ethnically diverse stories at its heart every year. In addition, from January 2022, every Channel 4 commissioning editor will have at least one ethnically diverse-led indie on their development slate.
Further, supported and funded by 4Skills, Channel 4 will partner with We Are Parable to deliver “Momentum,” a mentorship and training program for Black talent that will run across six U.K. cities in 2022.
“Black to Front” was an industry-first event, where the entire Channel 4 schedule for Sept. 10 — including commercial breaks — featured Black on- and off-screen talent.
- 11/19/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Channel 4 and BBC alumna Babita Bahal is joining Fremantle in the newly created role of group head of diversity, equity and inclusion, reporting to group Hr director Nicky Gray.
Bahal was head of creative diversity at U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 where she was instrumental to key projects including the channel’s recent “Black to Front” project, Paralympics and the Indie Accelerator, helping increase representation and inclusion in the U.K. TV industry.
Previously, Bahal was the diversity and inclusion lead for BBC Content, where her work included discovering and developing talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
Bahal will drive Fremantle’s global diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Gray said: “We have a responsibility as an organization to ensure our workforce is inclusive and reflects the communities in which we live and the audiences we serve. Our ongoing commitment to reflecting the diversity of the world in which we operate, on and off-screen,...
Bahal was head of creative diversity at U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 where she was instrumental to key projects including the channel’s recent “Black to Front” project, Paralympics and the Indie Accelerator, helping increase representation and inclusion in the U.K. TV industry.
Previously, Bahal was the diversity and inclusion lead for BBC Content, where her work included discovering and developing talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
Bahal will drive Fremantle’s global diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Gray said: “We have a responsibility as an organization to ensure our workforce is inclusive and reflects the communities in which we live and the audiences we serve. Our ongoing commitment to reflecting the diversity of the world in which we operate, on and off-screen,...
- 9/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. public broadcaster Channel 4 has rung in management structure changes as the organization prepares for its Future4 strategy that was revealed in November.
In commissioning, all of Channel 4’s creative and editorial decision making across linear, streaming and social will be brought together under director of programs Ian Katz, who is now chief content officer.
The org’s features commissioning responsibilities will be moved to the U.K. nations and regions, boosting the content spend and commissioning power outside London. With this move, head of features and format, Sarah Lazenby, who commissioned hit show “The Great British Bake Off,” is leaving Channel 4 after nearly six years. The existing formats and features slate will be distributed across other departments, including factual entertainment, entertainment and features and daytime — including responsibility for More4 commissioning — which will be led by Jo Street.
The vacant role of head of specialist factual will not be filled,...
In commissioning, all of Channel 4’s creative and editorial decision making across linear, streaming and social will be brought together under director of programs Ian Katz, who is now chief content officer.
The org’s features commissioning responsibilities will be moved to the U.K. nations and regions, boosting the content spend and commissioning power outside London. With this move, head of features and format, Sarah Lazenby, who commissioned hit show “The Great British Bake Off,” is leaving Channel 4 after nearly six years. The existing formats and features slate will be distributed across other departments, including factual entertainment, entertainment and features and daytime — including responsibility for More4 commissioning — which will be led by Jo Street.
The vacant role of head of specialist factual will not be filled,...
- 1/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Channel 4 has promoted its programming boss Ian Katz to chief content officer in a sweeping reorganization aimed at helping the UK broadcaster secure 40% of its £985 million ($1.3 billion) revenue from sources other than traditional TV advertising by 2025.
Katz will have total authority over editorial decision making across linear, streaming, and social, with seven genre commissioning chiefs reporting directly to him. He will also formally oversee acquisitions, beefing up his responsibility for buying shows, like Hulu’s The Handmaids Tale, where previously he just had creative sign-off.
As part of the changes, Katz’s deputy will Kelly Webb-Lamb will not be replaced after announcing her departure this month. Sarah Lazenby, Channel 4’s head of features and formats, is also leaving after nearly six years, with her duties — including overseeing The Great British Bake Off — being handed to other genre teams. It means that Katz’s report lines will be:
Karl Warner,...
Katz will have total authority over editorial decision making across linear, streaming, and social, with seven genre commissioning chiefs reporting directly to him. He will also formally oversee acquisitions, beefing up his responsibility for buying shows, like Hulu’s The Handmaids Tale, where previously he just had creative sign-off.
As part of the changes, Katz’s deputy will Kelly Webb-Lamb will not be replaced after announcing her departure this month. Sarah Lazenby, Channel 4’s head of features and formats, is also leaving after nearly six years, with her duties — including overseeing The Great British Bake Off — being handed to other genre teams. It means that Katz’s report lines will be:
Karl Warner,...
- 1/27/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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