On the new report from the Sutton Trust examining class inequality in creative careers and education, Creative Access CEO Mel Rodrigues offers comment and advice for employers intent on tackling social inequality in the creative industries, reports Mary Stone:
‘Melanie Rodrigues, CEO of Creative Access, said employers and institutions need to work together to remove obstacles “in a more joined-up way”.
She agreed the findings “sadly reflect the everyday experiences of working-class talent across the UK, who face a multitude of barriers to accessing and maintaining creative careers”.
“Addressing socio-economic barriers is a complex task, but it is business critical to nurture and progress talent from all backgrounds. There is a huge risk that the creative industries will lose what makes us great if we don’t embrace the myriad of stories and experiences that make up the society we live in – and that can only be achieved via a diverse and representative workforce,” said Rodrigues.’
TV development leader Dean Webster joins Creative Access board, backed by Simons Muirhead Burton
Creative Access is thrilled to announce that Dean Webster has joined the board of Creative Access. Dean started his Creative Access journey as a trainee for Shine Group back in 2013 and is now Head of Development at Ten66 Television.
Dean participated in the2023 – 24 Steering Group; a training programme for future charity trustees bringing together a group of 16 individuals from the Creative Access community. This initiative is sponsored by leading media law firm, Simons Muirhead Burton who joined forces with Creative Access to guide and sponsor the programme. Their involvement includes a financial contribution, hosting the meetings at their central London office and providing in-house speakers on legal governance.
In addition to Dean, two other members of the steering group have secured board roles including film & TV production strategist Osas Esosa, Olsberg SPI, who has joined the board of Shoreditch Town Hall and freelance writer & editor Dushi Horti (formerly HarperCollins) is joining London-based reading charity, Doorstep Library.
Josie Dobrin, Executive Chair, Creative Access said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Dean to our Board. We know his commitment, energy and experience will be a huge asset to us. It’s extremely exciting to now have two brilliant and skilled alumni on our board, reflecting the needs of our community as we seek to grow our impact over the coming years, and to create the urgent change required to representation at all levels of the creative industries and culture sector.
Our community have a huge amount of skills and energy to offer to leadership teams of commercial and not-for-profit organisations. All too often, job descriptions require applicants to have experience for non-executive roles, so we are thrilled that by having created this leadership pathway, we are removing obstacles for progression and that so many of the group have already secured non-executive roles. We are indebted to Simons Muirhead Burton for their huge and invaluable support of this programme.”
Commenting on his appointment to the Board, Dean Webster, Head of Development, Ten66 Television said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been accepted onto the Non-Executive Board of Creative Access, an organisation that has been so integral in my career by opening the door to the television industry and supporting me to thrive in the sector. I’m proud and excited to support Creative Access in this new chapter as they continue to create more opportunities in the creative economy for diverse people.”
Speaking of their involvement, Peter Weiss, who jointly heads the Corporate, Commercial & Finance team at Simons Muirhead Burton and also sits on the Creative Access advisory board said: “There are many synergies between the work and values of both Creative Access and Simons Muirhead Burton. We are delighted to be able to sponsor this important initiative which will create a pipeline of candidates from communities that are under-represented at non-executive level, who will help organisations to innovate, future-proof decision-making and better reflect the organisations which will benefit from their engagement.”
Creative Access has added Dean Webster, Head of Development at Ten66 Television, to its board, reports Televisual.
Drew Bunyan joined Weber Shandwick in 2023 via Creative Access and is now a permanent junior creative at the company. He spoke to
Jane Hamilton at The Times about how he found the role and his advice for aspiring creatives looking to break into the industry:
“I found out about the scheme through social enterprise Creative Access. My internship was a 3-in-1 experience, working with production, design and the creative teams.
My advice would be to find an internship which you’ll genuinely enjoy. It’s a brilliant stepping stone into any industry as it exposes you to work life and skills.
Just because you don’t make it into the first one don’t give up. A hundred nos can one day lead to a yes. Be persistent, recognise when you feel disheartened by the application process, step back, then try again. Consider it the start of your grind, which may be tough at times, but it will definitely pay off in the end.”
In The Financial Times Working It newsletter, Isabel Berwick features world views on the UK’s new legislation on employers to put preventative measures in place. Creative Access’ CEO weighs in to warns of the risk of tick-box compliance over real cultural change
This supports Creative Access’ expert-led training on preventing workplace harassment called: ‘Fostering Respect: Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace’. You can find more information about all our inclusive DE&I training here.
See the full story here: Managers’ new duty to prevent sexual harassment at work
Did you know that employers need to be ready to protect employees from sexual harassment under a new statutory obligation?
According to a study from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, 2023 a quarter all people who’ve experienced sexual harassment said it had happened in their place of work. Meanwhile, the TUC found that 3 in 5 women have experienced harassment at work.
From October 2024 the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill will strengthen protection for workers against sexual harassment. This new law will place a new duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment.
If you want to understand what this means for you as an employer, Creative Access has created a training workshop covering the new legal obligations to help employers take proactive steps to avoid sexual harassment in the workplace.
If you’re focused on inclusion, now is the time to act and not only deal with sexual harassment but to prevent sexual harassment from happening in the workplace.
Our ‘Fostering Respect: Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace’ workshop includes:
- What is ‘sexual harassment’? Recognising the behaviours that constitute sexual harassment
- Understanding the law surrounding sexual harassment
- What to do if you experience or witness sexual harassment in the workplace
- Understand how management should handle a complaint and how to support all staff involved
- Barriers to disclosure at work and creating a safe environment for disclosure
- Responding appropriately and managing trauma responses
- Remove or reducing risks to stop sexual harassment before it happens
Take steps to protect your employees today and enquire now about booking a session for your team.
The bursary has been launched after a survey revealed that 80% of under-represented respondents in publishing have faced financial obstacles when applying for jobs, as reported by Lucy Nathan at BookBrunch.
Broadcast Now reports on Creative Access bursary in response to ‘concerning trends’. Read here.
- 82% of creatives from lower socio-economic backgrounds report financial barriers preventing job applications.
- 86% of disabled respondents cite financial barriers as a significant hurdle to applying for new roles.
- 94% of those in the Music, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Arts sector have faced financial obstacles when applying for jobs.
- Creative Access 2024/25 Career Development Bursary launches, supported by WME & McLaren Racing
Recent data from Creative Access, the UK’s leading diversity, equity & inclusion social enterprise has uncovered stark financial challenges faced by under-represented talent in the creative industries. These include those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, disabled individuals, and Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse communities. The findings reveal that these financial barriers – such as high living or commuting costs – are not only deterring talent from these groups from applying for and accepting job offers – but also severely hindering their career progression.
With 81% of respondents indicating that financial barriers, such as high living or commuting costs, have prevented them from applying for new positions, the survey underscores the persistent inequities within the creative economy. This figure rises even higher among disabled respondents at 86%. Meanwhile, those working within Music, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Arts sectors are the hardest hit, with an overwhelming 94% affected.
The financial burdens do not stop at job applications. 38% of respondents report that financial barriers have prevented them from accepting job offers, with senior-level creative industry professionals (8+ years’ experience within the creative industries) feeling the pressure most acutely at 53%. The burden is particularly high for those in the Film, TV, Radio, and Audio Production sector, where 41% have had to turn down roles due to financial constraints.
Bursary initiative launch:
In response to these pressing issues, Creative Access is proud to announce the launch of its Career Development Bursary aimed at supporting under-represented professionals in the creative industries. This initiative will offer financial assistance to enable more under-represented talent to access and thrive in creative industry roles. The Bursary is generously supported by William Morris Endeavor (WME) and McLaren Racing.
McLaren Racing has worked with Creative Access since 2021 as part of the team’s flagship DE&I programme, McLaren Racing Engage, which was launched to open pathways into motorsport careers and support talent from under-represented communities.
2023/24 Creative Access Career Development Bursary testimonial:
“Thank you so much for the support. We already had our first film festival success and will be screening at Aesthetica Film Festival in November – a big win for us that wouldn’t have been possible without the Bursary”. – Naomi
Mel Rodrigues, CEO, Creative Access:
“These concerning trends demonstrate just how difficult it is for talent from under-represented groups to get a foothold and progress in creative careers. Our Bursary is a step towards dismantling these pervasive financial barriers, by addressing the economic constraints that are blocking both individual and collective potential to thrive in the creative industries.”
Sagina Shabaya, Senior Director of Impact and Inclusion, Endeavor:
“At WME, we are committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent talented individuals from thriving in the creative industries. The survey highlights just how significant these financial challenges are, and we are proud to support Creative Access in providing tangible, financial assistance to under-represented talent. Through the Career Development Bursary, we hope to empower the next generation and ensure that the industry better reflects the diversity of voices and experiences that fuel its success.”
Kim Wilson, Director of Sustainability, McLaren Racing:
“We are immensely proud of our collaboration with Creative Access, which has been a key partner in our Engage Alliance since 2021. Through these kinds of initiatives, we can break down some of the barriers to working in industries like motorsport and help support talented individuals through their journey. We want to set the benchmark for diversity and inclusion in sport and programmes like this helps us to ensure that everyone, irrespective of background, understands that they can have equal access to opportunities.”
What can the Bursary fund?
- Training courses (including driving lessons)
- Equipment or software purchase (at an appropriate specification for your career stage)
- Equipment or venue hire
- Relocation costs (e.g. deposit or rent support)
- Contribution to living costs whilst working or training (e.g. travel and accommodation)
- Disability access support
- Care costs
- Bespoke coaching or mentoring
- Participation in career development programmes (e.g. Springboard and Thrive)
Unfortunately, we cannot fund: academic courses, debts, costs that should be paid for by an employer, expenses for activities that have already occurred.
How much money can I access?
The maximum amount you can apply for is £1,000 and you must provide evidence about your costs (e.g. if you’re applying for equipment, you must specify the exact make and model required and be able to justify why it’s appropriate for your needs).
We can only consider one application per person. If you’re applying for several related costs, you should make one Bursary application and itemise the different elements, including the grand total.
What do I need to apply?
An aspiration to work in or to develop your career in the creative economy. This encompasses any role in the creative industries, or creative roles in other sectors (e.g. design, marketing, branding). Industries include:
- Architecture
- Art
- Book, newspaper and magazine publishing
- Campaigning, government and policy
- Fashion
- Film, TV, radio and audio production
- Museums, galleries and libraries
- Music, theatre, dance and visual arts
- PR, marketing and advertising
- Product design & graphic design
- Talent management
- Technology and gaming
- A clear idea of what you would spend the Bursary on and the ability to demonstrate how it would contribute to your career development
- Evidence of your expected cost(s) e.g. website link(s), itemised breakdown of costs
Creative Access’ executive chair & co-founder Josie Dobrin OBE talks to The Bookseller’s Matilda Battersby about the prevailing use of the term ‘BAME’ in publishing, despite UK government research by the Race Disparity Unit finding it ‘unhelpful’. Josie discusses Creative Access’ decision to ditch the term years ago.
Pippa Considine spoke to Creative Access for an opinion piece on class barriers in the TV industry. Both our founder & executive chair, Josie Dobrin OBE, and Creative Access alumni & Steering Group member, Dean Webster, gave their comments on classism and how the industry can address this issue.
The article also highlights our mid-level career development programme, as well as our partnership with Banijay UK to support 20 TV freelancers from historically underrepresented communities who have previously worked at Banijay labels.
‘The Mo Siewcharran Fund offers opportunities for young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds‘ reports BookBrunch.