Ali Hanan

Creative Equals

“I've been honoured to work with Lydia for a couple of years, first when she came to consult with us at Creative Equals as Cross Cultural Director and continuing our partnership as she has moved to focus on her own consultancy, BACKLIGHT. She and I shared a powerful passion: to transform businesses with inclusion. With the data from Lydia’s Black Pound Report and our data from the CE Equality Standard, we saw a huge need to transform the paths to leadership for the creative industry sector (97% of CEOs in the sector are white). Accelerate, a cyclical learning, pioneering programme for the sector was born.  

“Under Lydia’s leadership, the programme has curated a stellar line-up of speakers and trainers, including the likes of TV presenter Clara Amfo and Emma Dabiri, author, activist and writer. One of the highlights of the programme is a stellar mentoring programme from some of the sector’s most powerful leaders, where attendees meet the likes of Dominic Carter, Chief Commercial Operator of News UK and Aline Santos Farhat, Chief Brand Officer and Chief Equity Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Unilever.  

“Now Accelerate is in its second year, Lydia's powerful coaching and teaching has meant many of last year’s inaugural 90-strong cohort have gone on to step up to leadership roles and there are another 90 from this year about to graduate. We can’t wait to see the transformation this programme brings over the years. Lydia, as ever, is a powerhouse, driving change and it is an honour to collaborate with BACKLIGHT.”