Film and TV Charity chief executive Marcus Ryder has called upon the Creative Diversity Network to address the “contradictions” of its structure following the departure of Deborah Williams.
In eight years as CDN chief executive, Williams established broadcaster monitoring and reporting tool Diamond, as well as cross-industry efforts to make TV workplaces more accessible.
However, Ryder questioned whether it could ever be possible for CDN, in its current guise, to report on diversity “without fear or favour” while reporting to a board featuring senior executives from BBC, ITV, C4, Paramount, Sky, S4C, UKTV and Warner Bros. Discovery, and none from employee organisations such as Bectu or Directors UK.
In a series of tweets on X, Ryder said:
“You could argue that the CEO does not report to those at the sharp end of the lack of diversity and inclusion – the employees. But reports to the very organisations responsible for the lack of diversity through their culture, employment and retention practices.
“Over the years this contradiction has contributed to a lack of trust among people from underrepresented groups working in TV in CDN.”
Ryder said expanding the CDN board to include members bodies is one option to improve the situation, as is remodelling the board to prioritise expertise, in the mould of the F&TVC or Bafta.
He also posited what he described as the “more radical” option of rehousing the CDN in an independent organisation such as the Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, which he co-founded but with which he is no longer involved.
Sally Quick at UK headhunter Quicksmith is handling recruitment for Williams' successor.
