Diversity-focused training organisation Creative Access has hired the former Channel 4 exec behind the broadcaster’s ‘Black to front’ initiative as its new chief executive.
Mel Rodrigues, who takes over from outgoing chief Bibi Hilton, is based in Bristol and will bring “a non-London-centric” focus, said Creative Access founder and executive chair Josie Dobrin.
As C4’s diversity head from 2021-2022, Rodrigues was responsible for delivering Black to front, an initiative to boost diversity on- and off-screen that included a revival of Big Brother, special editions of shows such as Countdown and commissions including topical debate format Unapologetic.
She also delivered the broadcaster’s revised commissioning guidelines off the back of the learnings of Black to front.
Rodrigues retains a non-executive director role on Gritty Talent, the Bristol-based media tech company she set up five years ago to connect diverse creative talent with industry decision-makers.
Dobrin said that Rodrigues has “deep expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion; in developing and supporting talent from historically under-represented groups and leadership roles in both commercial and not for profit environments”.
Rodrigues is also vice chair of Women in Film and TV and has previously steered the 2019 Creative Cities Convention as a senior producer and was lead producer on several iterations of BBC Academy's Digital Cities.
She joins Creative Access in September.
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