Tributes have flooded in to former RTS chief and seasoned diversity campaigner Simon Albury, who has died at the age of 80.
Talent Manager’s Sarah Lee remembered Albury’s “unique knack for making people feel so special”. Albury had supported TM’s diversity tools for recruiters as the 'holy grail' for broadcasters and Lee said “it was a huge honour to have him champion our work”.
Lee added: “I've been so sad all weekend since hearing of his passing. He was intelligent, tenacious and kind and I suspect the flood of tributes this morning is just the beginning.”
Over more than half a century, Albury wore many hats, from producer of World In Action and What the Papers Say, to a Capital Radio DJ and founding director of Meridian Broadcasting.
But it is as force for change that he will be chiefly remembered. His MBE in 2019 recognised his campaigning spirit and achievements, whether as 12 years as RTS chief executive, head of the Campaign for Quality Television, in his work for the Film Diversity Action Group, or in his final decade as chair of the Campaign for Broadcasting Equality.
In his own Twitter bio, Albury summed up his position with characteristic plain speaking: "I can speak out because I am privileged, retired and have nothing to lose - bold but not brave."
His unflappable ability to talk truth to power was remarked upon by broadcaster Samira Ahmed, who said Albury “saw through all the empty posturing”. Former BBC creative chief Pat Younge added: “In an industry notorious for doublespeak, he always spoke his mind, and he didn’t care whose noses he put out of joint.”
In raising awareness of TV’s lack of diversity, he regularly gave evidence to parliamentary committees and many figures testified to his support.
Documentary producer David Dunkley Gyimah said his nickname for Albury was “abusiyia pannin”, a Ghanian term meaning “elder”, a sentiment shared by many whose working lives he had touched.
“He always made you feel seen, heard and believed in, every time you had the pleasure of spending time with him,” said The TV Collective founder Simone Pennant, who thanked him for his “unwavering personal support and said she would miss “his laugh, the speeches, and his red glasses”.
Broadcaster and inclusion campaigner Jasmine Dotiwala said the news had “sent shockwaves” through the industry and she vowed that “we will ensure his impact and legacy are not forgotten”.
Meanwhile, Loose Women presenter Charlene White hailed Albury’s “exemplary” commitment to diversity, adding that she entered TV with no connections thanks to a scheme that he introduced at ITV.
Good Morning Britain presenter Marverine Cole said Albury was “a generous and gentle human being, who helped me with so much career and life advice, always wrapped up in love”.
Film and TV Charity chief executive Marcus Ryder said he owed his career in diversity campaigning to Albury appointing him head of the RTS Diversity Committee.
“He had this amazing ability to identify people that were striving to make the broadcasting industry a better and fairer place to be, and was able to give them a voice time and time again.”
Writer Nels Abbey said Albury was “a fearless and peerless advocate, mentor and such a crucial friend” who “defined the concept and standard of allyship – often at personal cost”.
Abbey added: "Rest in power, Simon."
Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “He was a great champion and advocate for diversity and inclusion and did it with passion and vigour”.
Writer Ajay Chowdhury said he was "devastated" by the news. "He taught me so much when we worked together 30 years ago and was one of the most caring, funny, and acerbic people I knew. It's hard to believe I won’t hear that laugh again."
