University News Last updated 04 March 2021
A leading industry figure and diversity champion has been named as the latest board member of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.
Angela Chan, who has spent more than 20 years in the UK television sector as a documentary maker, commissioner and industry champion, has been unveiled as a key member of the Centre’s Advisory Board. She will support the work of the Centre alongside its other members.
The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity is based at Birmingham City University and was first launched in March 2020, with the aim of examining representation across the industry including journalism, acting, film, TV and radio in both front-of-house and behind the scenes roles.
A range of experts have been appointed to its board to help drive the direction of research and draw upon their experiences in the industry to make policy recommendations.
As the latest appointment, Angela Chan’s career has seen her work as an executive producer, documentary director, commissioner and industry champion, responsible for delivering the BBC’s diversity and Nations & Regions strategies in commissioning.
Most recently she served as Head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4 where she led the broadcaster’s inclusion strategy on and off screen.
She specialises in unlocking the potential of small creative businesses from under-represented groups.
Speaking about her appointment to the board she said: “‘I’m thrilled to be joining the advisory board and look forward to having an opportunity to support the Lenny Henry Diversity Centre in their continued mission to bring change.
Angela is also a consultant, lecturer and doctoral researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London, specialising in inclusive innovation and creative industries policy, making her insights and expertise invaluable to the work of the Centre.
Since launching in March last year the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity has published studies including research into diversity within UK broadcast regulator OFCOM.
For more information about the Centre, visit this web page.