Hearst UK, a premium content/experience business, has announced the appointment of Richie Booker as Diversity & Belonging Lead.
Booker has several years of diversity and belonging focused experience, working with leading brands including: LUSH, Channel 4, BBC, Spotify, Viacom and BET. He is also a presenter, broadcaster and host of the BBC’s 1xtra’s Talks; a hard-hitting talk show exploring the lived experiences of Black Britain. He has amassed over 20 years’ experience in both youth services and the criminal justice system specialising in CBT based group therapy.
Booker joins to lead the Diversity & Belonging strategy, which Hearst UK has set in place since the set-up of a Diversity & Belonging (D&B) Steering Committee in 2017. He will also continue to support Hearst UK’s mission to speak to all consumers through the products it creates and, in turn, help them get more out of life. Booker will work with all parts of the business and the senior leadership team to build a sense of true belonging within Hearst UK in order to foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.
RICH DIVERSITY & BELONGING EXPERIENCE
Booker will report into Surinder Simmons, Chief People Officer at Hearst Europe. “Richie is joining us at a perfect time as we continue to drive how we build on and evolve our Diversity & Belonging strategy here at Hearst UK,” stated Simmons. “Richie brings a rich mix of D&B and media experience and I am looking forward to working closely with him on this next phase of our journey.”
Commenting on the new appointment, Booker said: “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Hearst UK family. Diversity and belonging is not merely a people function, but the golden thread that runs throughout an organisation. It creates both a safe and welcoming environment for employees and touches the hearts and minds of our audiences. I am looking forward to using my experience and passion to help elevate the profile of D&B and cement the already great work done by all at Hearst UK so far.”
Booker will join Hearst UK on 1 March 2021 replacing Dionne Maxwell, who joined Jungle Creations earlier this year.
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