British channel Channel 4 has appointed Marcia Williams as its first director inclusion†
Williams, who has a career in inclusion and diversity spanning nearly 30 years, including with the UK Film Council, will join the company from Transport for London in August, reporting to Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon and will also join the executive 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 abilities, and both empowered and supported to be their real selves. Mahon said. “This newly created role recognizes not only 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 need to ensure inclusion and diversity are truly embedded in everything what we do. †
As Inclusion Director, Williams will be responsible for the strategic direction of inclusion and diversity at Channel 4, with the employee-focused 4Inclusion team reporting to her to help improve alignment internally and externally, both on and off-screen. She will share dual reporting responsibility for the creative diversity team with Emma Hardy, director of commissioning operations, a move Channel 4 says should “enable the creation of a cohesive and complementary strategy” to promote an inclusive workplace, an authentic representation of the UK’s diverse population, working with the independent manufacturing sector to further improve representation and portrayal.
“This new role is confirmation that Channel 4 is laser-focused on moving forward to find new and powerful ways to address issues of equity and inclusivity in its talent and business practices to create and sustain real impact,” said Williams. .