She had been diversity executive at BBC and Channel 4.

The UK Film Council has appointed Mary FitzPatrick as its new head of diversity. She replaces Marcia Williams who left the role at the Film Council in December 2009. 

FitzPatrick, who will take up the post on May 4, is currently based at the BBC, where she holds the role of BBC Vision Diversity Executive. Before joining the BBC in 2006, she was editorial manager, cultural diversity at Channel 4 for two years. She began her career as a director and producer at the BBC.

FitzPatrick’s remit as head of diversity will be to “help the UK film sector build a more diverse and inclusive workforce and culture, promoting a range of initiatives which encourage more people to participate in and enjoy film.”

Current UKFC diversity initiatives include YourLocalCinema.com, an online cinema listings service for people with hearing or sight loss launched in 2009, and partnering with the Tribeca All Access programme to bring British directors from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds to take their narrative or documentary projects to New York in April to seek funding. 

John Woodward, CEO of the UK Film Council, said: “Mary joins the UK Film Council with an impressive track-record in tackling the challenges around diversity and inclusion in the creative industries. She will lead on practical initiatives with filmmakers to help the industry become more diverse.”

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