Creative Access launches steering group for industry leadership

Creative Access has launched a steering group aimed at providing a leadership pathway for participants from under-represented backgrounds to become trustees or non-executive directors of creative organisations.

The new initiative will bring together a group of 16 individuals from the diversity and inclusion social enterprise’s community. It will be a year-long programme, drawing on candidates from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries in terms of ethnicity, socio-economic background or disability. 

Its annual programme will offer members the opportunity to share perspectives and network with people across the creative sector. They will be offered an insight into the responsibilities that come with being a trustee and be given the chance to meet and be mentored by senior figures in the creative industries. 

By the end of the programme, participants will be supported to apply for leadership positions and to be non-executive directors at other creative organisations and charities. The group will also provide feedback, give input and steer various Creative Access programmes and areas of development.

During the course, the group will attend workshops with multiple external speakers, covering themes including charity and Community Interest Company status, the role and duties of a trustee, financial literacy and liabilities, principles of good governance and trusteeship and the responsibilities of non-executive directors.

Cheyney Smith, a marketing manager for Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “Inclusivity, equity and fairness are values that I’m very passionate about. My career in publishing started through a CA internship, so I am extremely aware of how vital and important their work is and am thrilled to be able to play a part in shaping Creative Access for future members of its community as well as pushing for change and progress across publishing and other creative industries.”

Commissioning editor at Penguin General and former editorial intern at Hodder & Stoughton, Cameron Myers, said: “Creative Access not only helped me into my dream career, it has also supported me every step of the way in my efforts to grow and thrive in it. Being a part of the steering group is my opportunity to give a little bit back from what I’ve received. I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this exciting new venture.”

Josie Dobrin, executive chair of Creative Access, added: “We are hugely excited about this new initiative. Our community has a huge amount of skills and energy to offer to leadership teams of commercial and not-for-profit organisations. All too often, job descriptions require applicants to have experience for non-executive roles, so by creating this leadership pathway, we are removing obstacles for progression.

“In the long run, we’re creating a pipeline of candidates from communities that are under-represented at non-executive level, who will help organisations to innovate, future-proof decision making and better reflect the organisations in which they serve. Any organisations interested in hearing from our budding trustees should get in touch.”