There’s a major sea-change at higher level at the BBC as six racially diverse professionals have been hired to its leadership development programme to encourage greater breadth of representation at a senior level across the industry.  

The appointments follow the recruitment of six diverse, industry-facing assistant commissioners in February as part of the corporation’s mission to represent every family and community in the UK.

The six, from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds were recruited for its Senior Leadership Development Programme and they welcomed onto the scheme by BBC Director General, Tony Hall, Clore Director Sue Hoyle, BBC Academy Director Joe Godwin and 20 emerging leaders from BAME backgrounds at New Broadcasting House.

During a 12-month scheme in association with the Clore Leadership Programme, the group will be trained in the CLP, as they working across the company as part of the BBC agenda to diversify and represent all communities in 21st Century Britain.

Hall said: “For the first time, we’re bringing together the world of broadcasting, with arts and culture, to inspire new ideas – and new leaders.”

Hoyle said Clore and the BBC shared a commitment, “to developing the broadest possible range of talent and enabling people to reach their absolute potential as leaders.”

Amongst those selected is Tim Pemberton a managing editor of BBC Radio Bristol with over 12 years experience, former human resources partner for Ricoh Serra Tezisler, former director of the Runnymede Trust Dr Rob Berkeley, BBC head of human resources support Marcelle Moncrieffe-Johnson, Ade Adeluwoye, a former head of brand for Coca-Cola at marketing agency Zone and finance executive Nelson Abbey.

There are now 30 Creative Access Trainees working across the BBC.