Channel 4 in diversity row as four white directors appointed
A row has broken out over the lack of ethnic diversity among Channel 4’s new board members, as the broadcaster’s chair criticised the government’s decision to appoint four white directors.
The UK government’s Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer approved the appointment of the new non-executive directors on Monday.
In an internal memo, the Telegraph reported, the broadcaster’s chair, Sir Ian Cheshire, said the selection lagged behind Channel 4’s diversity targets.
“These appointments will improve representation on the board but do not yet meet the levels of representation throughout the rest of the organisation,” he wrote. “Appointments to the board are not ultimately in our control due to procedural reasons but we are committed to continuing to push for further progress.”
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A spokesman of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: “DCMS is absolutely committed to advancing equality of opportunity in its public appointments, to ensure that boards of public bodies benefit from a range of diverse perspectives and are representative of the people they serve.
“Appointments to the Channel 4 board were made by Ofcom following a fair and open competition, with approval from the DCMS Secretary of State.”
