The TV Collective opens fourth annual Breakthrough Leaders programme

The TV Collective – the network of UK TV professionals of colour – has partnered with Fremantle, BBC Studios, ITV Studios, Amazon streamer Prime Video and Sky for its fourth annual Breakthrough Leaders programme.

The initiative, devised by British producer and format creator Remy Blumenfeld, aims to “identify and empower 50 exceptional individuals from Black, Asian and Global Majority backgrounds who are poised to become the future leaders of the UK TV industry.”

Nominations for this year’s programme open today – 4 March – and the unveiling of the chosen 50 Leaders is scheduled for 30 April. The first three years of Breakthrough Leaders seen more than 150 TV professionals benefit from the initiative, with 95% of recognised Leaders acknowledging improved career prospects, according to The TV Collective.

The initiative’s past achievements include a 30% advancement rate for Black, Asian and Global Majority Leaders and securing promotions to new and more senior roles within the UK TV industry. The TV Collective lists notable Breakthrough Leaders including Nasfim Haque’s appointment as head of content for BBC3, Vanessa Van-Yeboah’s promotion to series editor on the return of Big Brother, Waris IsIam’s directing work on the fourth season of ITV’s The Bay and Janine Thomas, Channel 4 commissioning editor, slated to transition from her role in the documentaries unit to spearhead the Broadcaster’s Untold Youth strand.

This year’s initiative aims to promote regional talent by encouraging increased nominations from across the UK, with support from the BBC, and to garner more nominations for individuals who identify as disabled or are employed in high-demand professions.

Selected participants will benefit from exclusive masterclasses and networking events that connect them with influential decision-makers across the industry. It will also offer bespoke career guidance and continuous support from leading industry figures throughout the year.

Amelia Brown, Fremantle UK CEO, said: The work of The TV Collective is incredibly important to TV production, and we’re proud to be partnering with them again for the Breakthrough Leaders programme.

“There’s never been a more important time to help support and grow talented individuals who are still underrepresented, and we’ve seen first-hand the exceptional work, and in turn the benefit to the industry, this initiative provides.”