BFI inclusion chief to head anti-bullying watchdog

BFI director of culture and inclusion Jen Smith is to steer the establishment and remit of the forthcoming bullying watchdog for film and TV.

Smith has been seconded to the Time’s Up UK/Creative UK project to launch the Independent Standards Authority and will serve as interim of the authority ahead of its formal opening in 2024.

Smith worked on behalf of the BFI to develop anti-bullying and anti-harassment guidance and principles, in conjunction with Bafta and Time’s Up UK back in 2017.

Her duties will include formalising the ISA’s remit and structure and ensuring funding targets and milestones are met in the build-up to launch.

The PSBs and Sky have committee funding and support to the authority, which has been developed by Creative UK chief Caroline Norbury with Time’s Up UK and law firm Fieldfisher.

Norbury said Smith would “help us move the dial on working practices within the creative industries with inclusivity and diversity at its heart, we have made a positive step towards that goal”.