THE TV Collective (TVC) in partnership with Fremantle and Indigo Talent are have announced the launch of Breakthrough Leaders, a programme which will identify 50 people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds as future industry leaders who are ready to take the next major step in their career.

As we work towards being inclusive and future-ready, the TV industry needs Breakthrough Leaders to take us there.

Nicky Gray, HR Director, Fremantle

The programme which has been developed by TVC founder Simone Pennant MBE in collaboration with leading industry coach Remy Blumenfeld, aims to spotlight champion and support 50 middle-to-senior professionals from all areas of the TV industry to help them make major breakthroughs.

The programme ultimately aims to establish a cohort of leaders that will help shape and redefine future leadership in the industry, and act as a proactive catalyst for positive change.

“There is a huge number of talented people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds successfully contributing to the industry yet, according to the latest figures from the Creative Diversity Network, there is still a woeful underrepresentation in major senior leadership roles,” says Pennant MBE.

She added: “Our aim with this project is to not only celebrate the work of these individuals and provide a framework of support at a crucial juncture in their career; but to help them steer the change we believe is needed to make the industry more inclusive and an equal playing field.”

To be a Breakthrough Leader, individuals can nominate themselves at https://thetvcollective.org/breakthroughleaders/.

The The TV Collective programme is open now to professionals from across scripted and non-scripted and in all types of roles, providing they have 8 years + experience.  TVC, Indigo Talent and Fremantle are also asking for the support of the industry in nominating future leaders.

Nominations close on the January 15, 2021 and the selected 50 will be announced in February 2021.

Those selected will be partnered with a leading industry figure of their choice who will provide mentorship, as well as a top industry coach who’ll work with them to identify the individual support they need, whether that is extending their contacts, raising their profile or banishing any self-limiting beliefs.

Nicky Gray, HR Director, Fremantle, said: “As we work towards being inclusive and future-ready, the TV industry needs Breakthrough Leaders to take us there.

“Our support of this programme is just one part of our efforts across Fremantle, to ensure our business is reflective of our audiences. There is great talent out there and we are committed to shine a light on it.”

Jude Thompson, Managing Director, Indigo Talent added: “The Future Leaders Programme isn’t a magic wand.

“But – through coaching and strategizing – it will help Black, Asian and minority ethnic creative talent become the leaders to take our industry into a future that is committed to diversity and inclusion.”

 While on-screen representation of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds is improving, the latest figures released from the Creative Diversity Network show how these groups of people are seriously underrepresented in senior TV leadership jobs.

Those working behind the camera in senior roles falls below 10 per cent. Only 2.4 per cent of production executives, 4.4 per cent of series producers, 8.3 per cent of heads of production and 9.3 per cent of production managers identify as being from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

The Breakthrough Leaders programme is particularly targeted at those working in these areas and ready to take their next big step in their career. 

To make a nomination or for more information go to https://thetvcollective.org/breakthroughleaders/

The TV Collective partners with CH4, BBC, ITV and BFI to launch free online events