Image: Mr Loverman (Fable Pictures, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One)
The ambitions that we have for this strategy are shared by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Executive Committee. Here are some thoughts from some of them on why it matters to them:
Our staff networks are at the forefront of creating a more diverse and inclusive ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. They provide safe and trusted spaces for communities to come together, to share opportunities and discuss challenges, ensuring all voices are heard. Our staff networks play an essential role in our strategy, as we pursue a greater sense of belonging at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. I'm privileged to be the Executive Sponsor for the Ability network and proud to champion representation and allyship across the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½."
I am immensely proud to be the executive sponsor for our newest staff network ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Enigma – a dynamic and thriving community for our neuro-divergent colleagues, and a place for allies to join and learn. The network is already blazing a trail with its innovative programme of work with partners inside and outside the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. It also has a crucial role to play in building a sense of belonging across the whole organisation, ensuring all our bases right across the United Kingdom are inclusive and welcoming working environments."
We're committed to championing British storytelling and recognise the vital role of diverse-led indies in bringing authentic stories to life. By boosting our investment in diverse content and raising our off-screen diversity targets, we're focused on delivering the most distinctive content with breadth and range for audiences across the United Kingdom and supporting the United Kingdom creative industries."
By embedding diversity, inclusion, and belonging in everything we do at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Studios, we can build a culture where every person who works here feels heard, valued, and empowered. Before joining ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Studios, I had rarely experienced a working environment where I could truly be my authentic self. I now want to ensure that everyone working for us has the same opportunity to thrive in a culture that embraces who they are. This will mean we can continue to create world-leading, authentic content that inspires conversations and helps us all make sense of the world we live in."
As we embark on the next phase of our work, to build on the progress already made in diversity and inclusion over the last period, I am eager that we put a strong focus on creating a sense of belonging at the heart of everything we do for our workforce, our partners, and our audiences. It is our hope to create a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ that represents all of Britain and its vibrant diversity in a positive and impactful fashion.
We know we want to go further and faster with our goals to enhance the diversity of our workforce and strengthen our talent pipeline, as we create working environments that are truly inclusive and accessible. Our focus on belonging will aim to create environments in which all our staff can have conditions to thrive and in turn, do their best work for our audiences. And we will continue to drive authentic content with our 'on and off screen' representation, as well as supporting producers to work towards more diverse production teams which will allow everyone to experience the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s work in a powerful manner. In turn, we’ll have a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ where the very best people do their best work, establishing a creative, innovative, and inclusive organisation that’s admired worldwide.
We truly want to ensure that we're a workplace that isn't just diverse and inclusive but values everyone for their uniqueness – diversity of who they are, how they think, and how they work. We are setting the bar higher – focusing on belonging and ensuring that all our staff, partners, and audiences feel valued at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Our bold vision is underpinned by a clear mission statement: You belong at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ because the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ belongs to you."
