LEADING MEDIA diversity champion Marcus Ryder MBE has secured a new role at Birmingham City University to examine representation across UK media.

Mr Ryder has been officially named as Head of External Consultancies at the centre based in Birmingham City University and will look into diversity across the industry including in journalism, acting, film, TV and radio in both front-of-house and behind the scenes roles.

The new role will see him work alongside esteemed academics and industry leaders to explore how the UK’s media reflects its population and to be proactive in championing better representation across all sectors.

Mr Ryder, who has has spent over 25 years working in the media, has been the leader behind major campaigns that have challenged the government and industries to increase representation and diversity in the media.

Most notably, he has championed the need for greater visibility and opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and disabled people working in the film and television industry.

He has also given evidence to the House of Lords on how to increase diversity in broadcast media.

Mr Ryder said he was “honoured” to be in his new appointment at the Sir Lenny Henry Centre.

“I look forward to building on our successes and working with practitioners and academics to make our industry a more representative and welcoming place for everyone working in front and behind the camera,” he said.  

“Recent events and industry statistics prove there is a lot of work that still needs to be done – that work can only be done through clear academic research and evidence-based policies, I look forward to playing my part in making sure that happens.”

The centre has been a major catalyst for change in the UK media industry just over a year since its opening in March 2020.

Speaking on Ryder’s new position, Sir Lenny Henry, Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: “Marcus was instrumental in setting up the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and I am very excited about him joining the centre full time.

“He is one of the most respected individuals in the field of media diversity in the UK and I believe it is an appointment that is instrumental if we want to bring real change to the media industry.”

Professor Diane Kemp, Director of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, said: “Marcus is one of the co-founders of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre and has been involved with us since our launch last year.

“He is hugely influential in the field of media diversity and is considered by many to be one of its foremost strategists.

“I think this is a significant appointment not just for us at the Centre, but also for anyone concerned to see an improvement in media representation in the UK.”

Mr Ryder will officially take up his new role on Monday May 10 and will work with university academics and industry leaders to drive the need for increased diversity in the media.