BBC hires June Sarpong as Director of Creative Diversity

The BBC has announced the appointment of broadcaster, writer and campaigner June Sarpong MBE as the BBC’s new Director of Creative Diversity. Sarpong will take up her new role from 1st November 2019 to lead a “renewed drive to further transform and modernise the BBC and its culture and attend the Executive Committee”, reports the broadcaster.

Sarpong’s appointment follows the departure of the corporation’s Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Succession, Tunde Ogungbesan, back in March this year. His role has now been split in two – Director of Creative Diversity and Head of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion (which were advertised back in May). The announcement comes shortly after the BBC reversed a decision to partially uphold a complaint against BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty. 

In her new role, Sarpong will focus on improving the BBC’s on-air talent portrayal and commissioning to increase representation, and ensure that its content reflects the public it serves, confirms the broadcaster. This includes ensuring the BBC commissioning guidelines achieve real change and create an open culture to support and develop new talent and content makers, across all BBC output and platforms.

‘DAUNTING’ TASK

“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,” states Sarpong. “I look forward to collaborating with diversity and inclusion industry stakeholders to find new and productive ways to create systemic change.”

Commenting on the appointment, BBC’s Director-General Tony Hall, says: “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 know-how, will help further transform the BBC’s programming to ensure that we truly reflect the public we serve.

“June is an immense talent and an internationally-renowned figure on how to deliver change. June will look at improving the BBC’s on-air talent portrayal and commissioning. She will provide expertise on all on-air diversity matters and serve as an ambassador and champion. She will have a wide remit to deliver change, and I have no doubt that with her help and leadership, we will deliver it. I am determined that we have a BBC that continues to speak to and for everyone. June will help us achieve that.”

‘MORE PROGRESS NEEDED’

Increasing representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and women in senior leadership remains a priority for the BBC, says the broadcaster. Although progress is being made “more needs to be done, particularly at the very highest executive levels”, the BBC admits. 

The broadcaster has pledged to ensure 50% of on-air roles go to women by 2020, with targets of 15% for BAME, 8% for disabled and 8% for LGBT staff. The BBC has also promised to increase the proportion of off-air leadership roles filled by women from 44% to 50% by next year, and raise the share of senior roles held by BAME staff from 11.5% to 15%.

‘FORMIDABLE’ CHAMPION

The BBC’s Group Managing Director Bob Shennan, believes Sarpong is a “formidable” champion, capable of helping the BBC achieve its D&I targets: “June brings a wealth of experience, creativity, insight and leadership to the role. I’m delighted that she’ll be joining the BBC. We’re lucky to have her on board.”

June is an internationally renowned broadcaster, writer and campaigner on diversity issues. She started her career as a DJ and presenter on MTV, Kiss FM and spent 10 years on Channel 4’s T4 youth strand. She has also featured as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and Sky News’ The Pledge. Since 2010, she has built a reputation as a leading D&I campaigner and a champion for greater representation throughout the media.