Jivan Mann has been appointed as The Production Guild of Great Britain’s (PGGB) Diversity and Inclusion Action Group Producer, who will lead its new Mission Inclusion programme.
Mann joins PGGB from Ernst & Young where she was a Diversity and Inclusion Lead, prior to that she was an HR Advisor at Channel 4 and had also held a role at the BBC as an HR Project Coordinator.
Her appointment comes as the PGGB joins forces with the British Film Commission (BFC) to promote the inclusion of “diverse and experienced crew that will help power UK film and TV production as additional stage space continues to come online in the UK.”
In her new role, Mann will lead PGGB’s new Mission Inclusion programme which includes measures “designed by PGGB’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) to empower production personnel to expand their networks and ensure they are hiring diverse production teams.”
BFC received £4.8 million over three years from HM Treasury last year to “expand its work promoting the UK as a destination of choice for studio space investment” and is partnering with PGGB to support the delivery of its ‘Stage Space Support & Development Strategy’ where £100,000 is being invested in PGGB’s new Mission Inclusion programme, entitled #MI21, which “complements the strategy’s equality, diversity and inclusion priorities.”
The Mission Inclusion programme includes “a full schedule of masterclasses with leading diverse talent and campaigners that will widen industry awareness of how to embed diversity and inclusion principles in production teams, whilst virtual and in-person networking events will bring decision-makers face-to-face with diverse talent. Official partnerships with UK and US databases of underrepresented talent are to be explored and new research exploring film and television hiring practices are under discussion. #MI21 will also expand the PGGB diversity and inclusion-related resources available to members, adding best practice materials and toolkits.”
Mann said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the PGGB team at this pivotal time. The Mission Inclusion Programme proactively places diversity and inclusion at the heart of the Guild’s support for the UK’s film and TV workforce, I’m excited to be taking it forward in my new role.”
Professor Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO said: “We’re delighted to partner with the British Film Commission to deliver key measures to improve diversity and inclusion behind the camera. We want to even the playing field in all areas of the production office. Our Diversity and Inclusion Action Group draws on lived experience to shape the #MI21 interventions and it is fantastic to welcome Jivan on board to take this forward. We’re also excited to be delivering bespoke training for specific roles identified by BFC. This type of targeted support will ensure continued excellence within our crews, particularly as they service increasing numbers of US High-End TV dramas being made in the UK.”
Samantha Perahia MBE, Head of Production UK, British Film Commission, added: “The UK offers universally recognised and respected talent in-front-of, and behind-the-camera and access to appropriately experienced crew must be a key component of any stage space project. We’re delighted to draw on PGGB’s experience to bolster this and to drive diversity and inclusion in all areas of production. This is a priority for all BFC’s Stage Space Support and Development interventions, helping to power world-class film and TV production as additional stage space continues to come online in all four Nations of the UK.”
