Channel 4 names creative diversity and disability lead

Channel 4 has named their Creative Diversity and Disability Lead, a newly created role that will lead on and deliver the disability focused strategic plans as part of the channel’s Creative Diversity strategy.

The network announced that they have appointed Ally Castle in the role. Castle will report into the Head of Creative Diversity, Babita Bahal and will work closely with independent producers and commissioning teams within Channel 4 to increase disability representation both on and off screen. As well as this, the channel are committed to ensuring the quality of authentic portrayals of disability.

Over the last year, Channel 4 set out a number of commitments to improving disability representation and diversity. Off screen, the broadcaster announced that it would be working towards doubling its workforce disability target from 6 to 12% by 2023 as well as committing to the CDN’s Doubling Disability Plan which aims to achieve 9% representation off screen, while they have committed to achieving diversity representation by 2023 on screen. Channel 4 also states that it will continue to monitor and ensure representation in the channel’s top 100 shows.

Prior to joining Channel 4, Ally Castle worked as an independent disability consultant and creative strategist, working with a number of well known clients including Sony Pictures Television, ITV, Nickelodeon, BBC Studios and Disney. Part of the role with Channel 4 will include building on the station’s success as the Paralympic broadcaster by supporting the delivery of the Tokyo 2021 games. She will then help to deliver an on and off screen vision for Paris 2024 to ensure progression for disabled talent working across all Paralympics related programming. She will begin her role in March.

The Creative Diversity and Disability Lead is one of three new roles which have been created as part of an expansion to Channel 4’s Creativity Diversity team – the other roles include a Creative Diversity Lead and Creative Diversity Co-ordinator.

Speaking about the new role and Ally Castle’s appointment, Babita Bahal told reporters: “We need more targeted collaboration at every level to achieve greater inclusion of disabled people on and off screen. We want to see more disabled talent working and progressing in TV and ensure portrayals are effortlessly and consistently authentic and challenge perceptions. Ally’s outstanding experience and expertise will help to accelerate our work.”