Women at the BBC – a complex story.. Amanda Rice, Head of Diversity For the: Corporate Research Forum February 2011 Amanda Rice, BBC Head of Diversity

The Pan BBC Diversity Strategy Formal BBC Div Strategy in place since 2005. (Clearly good work going on well before that – Diversity a core value and Equal Opps policy in place since ’83) Included broad objectives across 4 activity areas – Corp Strategy (and meeting public purposes) – Audiences - Output – Workforce With Strategy in place – helped to drive forward a range of initiatives –particularly workforce related, but also elsewhere… HOWEVER – no implementation framework in place to help achieve systematic and consistent diversity activity across all areas OR crucially to allow us to capture and demonstrate good work and measure progress To address– Strategy reviewed and updated at end of 2008. Implementation framework developed

Women at the BBC Daily Mail May 11th 1973 “Women are Given the Freedom of the BBC” “Women’s Lib has won a major victory at the BBC. The Corporations 8,000 women workers have been promised the same chance as the men of getting to the top…. The equal rights charter, which takes effect immediately, follows years of lobbying at BBC centres throughout Britain. The ‘old days’.. Previous Interventions… Today: BBC wide: 49% women: 51% men 36% women: 64% men SMs Good Executive representation Divisional & departmental variances particularly at snr level The view today… Daily Mail May 11th 1973 “Women are Given the Freedom of the BBC” “Women’s Lib has won a major victory at the BBC. The Corporations 8,000 women workers have been promised the same chance as the men of getting to the top…. The equal rights charter, which takes effect immediately, follows years of lobbying at BBC centres throughout Britain.

BBC Journalism - Women News Global English Regions Devolved nations Perception of the divisional / News environment culture Nature of the work: fast-paced, 24/7 Other more tangible barriers Challenges in focusing on specific diversity initiatives. Limited turnover

BBC Vision - Women Production & Commissioning Production areas include eg: Comedy; Drama; Entertainment; Factual Multi-platform Critical mass of women Gender balance in Production Perceptions of the culture of the division Higher turnover Leadership Diversity as a creative opportunity

Where to now? Thoughts: Not a clear cut picture – differences within and between. Commitment to development of women from top to bottom is important. Formal pathways to progression and for networking. A broader look at interventions – reverse mentoring. Harnessing the positive impact of diverse role models. For BBC – link to creative opportunities and audience reach/ appreciation. Need a pan industry evidence based approach - exploring barriers to female progression / portrayal both on and off screen.

Thank you.