Sarpong named BBC Director of Creative Diversity
October 4, 2019
Broadcaster, writer and campaigner, June Sarpong MBE has been appointed as the BBC’s Director of Creative Diversity.
The BBC says Sarpong will lead a renewed drive to further transform and modernise the BBC and its culture. She will work to increase representation and ensure that BBC content reflects the public it serves. She will take up her new role from November 1st, and will attend the Executive Committee.
Sarpong started her career as a DJ and presenter on MTV, Kiss FM and for ten years on Channel 4’s T4 youth strand. She has gone on to appear as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and now on Sky News’ The Pledge.
Sarpong commented: “As we move on from National Inclusion Week and begin Black History Month, I am particularly humbled to step into the newly created role of Creative Diversity Director for the BBC. I relish the challenge of working with senior leadership to make the BBC more inclusive and representative of the broad and diverse audience it serves. The task is indeed daunting, however being awarded the opportunity to help level the playing field for the next generation of diverse talent, makes the obstacles and discrimination I have personally faced throughout my own career all the more worthwhile. I look forward to collaborating with diversity and inclusion industry stakeholders to find new and productive ways to create systemic change.”
Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, added: “I am delighted that June Sarpong is joining the BBC. While we have made significant progress on diversity, we also have to accept that the BBC has much further to go. June’s drive, ambition, and knowhow, will help further transform the BBC’s programming to ensure that we truly reflect the public we serve.