ITV has announced that Sam Tatlow MBE, formerly Creative Diversity Partner, has been promoted to the newly created role of Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This appointment coincides with Ade Rawcliffe stepping into her expanded role as ITV’s Chief People Officer in January 2025. Tatlow will report to Rawcliffe and join ITV’s Executive Leadership team, further embedding diversity and inclusion into the organisation’s broader People Team.
In her new role, Tatlow will oversee ITV’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy. She will lead the implementation of ITV’s Diversity Acceleration Plan, which focuses on three key pillars: mainstream content, creating opportunities, and fostering an inclusive culture. She will also prioritise accessibility and disability equity across ITV’s operations. Her responsibilities will include driving on-screen and workforce diversity, as well as collaborating with key industry stakeholders such as BAFTA, the Creative Diversity Network, and The TV Collective to amplify ITV’s DEI efforts within the sector.
A Proven Advocate for Inclusion
Tatlow joined ITV in 2020 as a Creative Diversity Partner and has since been instrumental in delivering initiatives that advance diversity and inclusion. Her work has included launching the ITV Inclusive Language Guide, ITV Studios Disabled Writers Initiative, and ITV’s Production Principles, which embed DEI considerations into all ITV commissions. She has been particularly influential in ITV’s disability agenda, working closely with teams across entertainment, sport, and drama to ensure diverse representation both on and off-screen.
Before joining ITV, Tatlow worked at thinkBIGGER! on training initiatives like Channel 4’s Production Training Scheme and the groundbreaking inclusion efforts for the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She began her career as a production coordinator, contributing to acclaimed shows such as The Inbetweeners and Misfits.
Tatlow’s contributions extend beyond ITV. She chairs BAFTA’s Disability Advisory Group, serves on BAFTA’s Diversity Steering Group, and leads the Disability Advisory Group for Arts Council England’s All In initiative. She has also been recognised twice in the Shaw Trust Power 100 list of the UK’s most influential Disabled people and was awarded an MBE in 2022 for her services to Disabled people.
Leadership Driving Change
Ade Rawcliffe praised Tatlow’s contributions, stating, “Sam Tatlow, MBE, has been a crucial force in transforming representation both within ITV and across the industry. Her work, from launching Amplify 2.0 for Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent leaders to supporting groundbreaking productions like Ralph and Katie, has set a new benchmark for inclusion.”
Tatlow expressed her excitement about the new role, saying, “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity and am looking forward to continuing the work to drive increased representation and create an equitable culture at ITV. There are still so few Disabled leaders in our industry, so this role is something I am incredibly proud of. I hope my appointment creates opportunities for others.”
With Tatlow at the helm of ITV’s DEI agenda, the organisation aims to build on its progress while addressing ongoing challenges, ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of its operations and culture.
ian Thomas