Channel 4 appoints Oona King as Head of Diversity

2nd February 2009

Channel 4 has announced the appointment of Oona King as its Head of Diversity.

King, a broadcaster and former MP, who is currently Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister on Equalities and Diversity, has been given a brief to champion diversity across all Channel 4's activities, both on and off-screen.

She will work with independent production companies and other external suppliers to ensure that similar standards and policies are applied across all production and business activities on behalf of Channel 4.

Channel 4's Editorial Manager, Disability, Alison Walsh will report to King, who will report directly to Chief Executive, Andy Duncan, when she takes up her new post in the spring.

Channel 4 announced its intention to appoint a Head of Diversity when unveiling its Next on 4 strategic blueprint last year. It included initiatives designed to renew Channel 4's commitment to reflecting social diversity on and off-screen, building on its unrivalled track record of portraying contemporary Britain in all its variety.

Commenting on her appointment Oona King said, "Channel 4 has been an amazing platform for diverse voices and perspectives from across British society for more than a quarter of a century. But there's more work to be done to connect and reflect social minorities within mainstream broadcasting, and I'm very much looking forward to this challenge."