Channel 4 appoints two new Creative Diversity roles for the Nations and Regions

7 April 2021

The new hires form part of Channel 4’s expanded Creative Diversity team

Channel 4 today announced that it has appointed Neila Butt as its new Creative Diversity Lead for the Nations & Regions, and Stacey Olika, as its Creative Diversity Coordinator, Nations & Regions. They will be based in Leeds and Bristol respectively.

In the newly created positions, Neila and Stacey will lead on and deliver the Nations and Regions focused strategic plans as part of the Creative Diversity strategy.

Reporting into the Head of Creative Diversity, Babita Bahal, both roles will work closely with independent producers, regional hub leads and commissioning teams within Channel 4 to increase representation of talent from underrepresented backgrounds on and off screen. They will also help achieve targets set out in the Commissioning Diversity Guidelines and ensure the inclusion and progression of off-screen talent on Channel 4 productions at all levels. 

The appointments mark three new hires for Channel 4’s Creative Diversity team this year; Ally Castle was announced in January as the channel’s disability lead.

Babita Bahal, Head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4, said: “Representing unheard voices is at the heart of our Future4 strategy as we continue to deliver increased representation and inclusion across the UK. Our two excellent hires bring a wealth of experience and understanding of creative communities outside of London and this is crucial in helping us to deliver our ambitions and commitments in the nations and regions.”

Neila Butt, who will join Channel 4 in April said: ‘’I’m absolutely delighted to be joining a fantastic team at Channel 4 - an opportunity to consolidate my experiences and passion, at a broadcaster who has representation, inclusion and innovation right at its very core. The importance of authentic storytelling, of the rich cultures and people of our nations and regions has never been so important.”

Stacey Olika, who will also join Channel 4 in April said: " I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Channel 4 team in Bristol and bringing together more of the South West’s undeniable talent. Representation must be at the heart of everything we do in this industry, and I’m looking forward to helping ensure Channel 4's content represents and authentically portrays a wide range of voices, backgrounds and experiences from across the UK.”

Prior to joining Channel 4, Neila worked at the BBC in editorial roles across Radio, TV, News and Nations and Regions and has also led number of inclusion and diversity projects.

Stacey Olika joins Channel 4 from BBC Studios Natural History Unit as Production Management Assistant.

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