The Cultural Diversity Network and the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN) have combined to become the Creative Diversity Network (CDN). The formal merger took place on Tuesday, 6th September, with a new name to reflect the CDN’s remit.

The CDN steering group is made up of BBC, Channel 4, S4C,ITV, ITN, Sky, Pact, BAFTA,Viacom International Media Networks, Turner Broadcasting and Media Trust.

ClareMorrow, BCIDN Network Manager, was one of a number of speakers at the event to mark the official name change. She said, "Disability is now at the heart of the diversity agenda for all the UK's main television companies, thanks to their collective work through the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN). This is the right time for all strands of diversity to come together, and I'm confident the Creative Diversity Network's efforts to ensure that British television is truly representative of all sectors of the population will mean the part disabled people play in the industry continues to grow."

Mark Thompson, Chair of the CDN, said, “We’re pleased to be marking this merger, as the work of the two organisations has been converging for some time. The great work started by the BCIDN will continue, and disability will remain firmly on the agenda. The newly formed Creative Diversity Network will maintain a strong focus on ethnicity, but will have a broader remit than previously to include all aspects of diversity . This broader focus is reflected in the CDN’s new five year strategy which has been signed off just this week and provides a clear steer for action across the industry’’.

TheCreative Diversity Network strategy sets out five key priorities for the next five years:

• To make the business case for diversity - including for example through more intelligent use of industry data and research
• Promoting diverse talent - for example through re-focusing the Diversity Awards and creating opportunities for talent
• Prioritising new aspects of diversity - such as disability, age and gender and a more nuanced approach to ethnicity
• Communications - including raising the profile of the CDN and improving stakeholder engagement
• Delivery - exploring various options and delivery models to help maximise resources and support CDN activity to achieve real outcomes

Stage and Screen