Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Former professional rugby union player Luther Burrell wants to see ‘generational change’ after detailing his experiences of racism and discrimination within the sport.

It’s been a tough 8 to 10 months for Burrell, a former centre who represented England on 15 occasions, who spoke out in June 2022 about his experiences of racism and abuse in the sport; particularly during his time with Newcastle Falcons towards the end of his career.

The racism claims prompted a thorough investigation by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and in April 2023, these claims were found to be true.

Despite it being an incredibly challenging period for Burrell, the ex-rugby union player believes that speaking out has been “the most rewarding thing he’s ever done.”

In an open and candid interview with Leaders’ Javan Odegah – recorded at IMG Studios in London – Burrell reflects on:

• Having the courage to speak out; and the potential blockers for other individuals thinking about doing the same;
• The support, and lack of support he received, after speaking out;
• Rugby union’s wider discriminatory and prejudice problems;
• How he hopes his experiences can be a gateway for others wishing to tell their story.

Former professional rugby union player Luther Burrell wants to see ‘generational change’ after detailing his experiences of racism and discrimination within the sport.

It’s been a tough 8 to 10 months for Burrell, a former centre who represented England on 15 occasions, who spoke out in June 2022 about his experiences of racism and abuse in the sport; particularly during his time with Newcastle Falcons towards the end of his career.

The racism claims prompted a thorough investigation by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and in April 2023, these claims were found to be true.

Despite it being an incredibly challenging period for Burrell, the ex-rugby union player believes that speaking out has been “the most rewarding thing he’s ever done.”

In an open and candid interview with Leaders’ Javan Odegah – recorded at IMG Studios in London – Burrell reflects on:

• Having the courage to speak out; and the potential blockers for other individuals thinking about doing the same;
• The support, and lack of support he received, after speaking out;
• Rugby union’s wider discriminatory and prejudice problems;
• How he hopes his experiences can be a gateway for others wishing to tell their story.

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Insights from the Founder and Managing Director of Blue Moon & Partners, Co-secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG and former Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC. 

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series features perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them. 

Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, broadcaster and social impact entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years committed to the EDI sector. She is Founder and MD of Blue Moon and Partners, an organisation designed to find the best talent for business and create inclusive environments for employees to thrive and drive business success. She is also Co-Secretariat at Creative Diversity APPG, a cross-party group in UK Parliament to identify and tackle obstacles to diversity in the creative sector, and acts as Commissioner at Civil Service Commission UK and Common Councillor at City of London. She recently stepped down as Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC, where she was tasked with ensuring on-air diversity and inclusions strategies across the broadcaster. 

The wide-ranging conversation, beginning at 3:05, includes insights into facilitating communication with and between production companies and commissioners, avoidance of stereotypes, and the current lack of socioeconomic inclusion in the creative industry – as well as talk around the best ways to implement EDI strategies, reliability of data (or lack thereof) and what more sport can do to mobilise against discrimination. 

• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – The Food & Hospitality industry (with Black Eat LDN’s Jackson Mclarty) 
• Podcast: Leaders in EDI – Building an impactful EDI strategy (Part 4 – Reflection, re-assessment & response to crisis) 

Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform. 

Former professional rugby union player Luther Burrell wants to see ‘generational change’ after detailing his experiences of racism and discrimination within the sport.

It’s been a tough 8 to 10 months for Burrell, a former centre who represented England on 15 occasions, who spoke out in June 2022 about his experiences of racism and abuse in the sport; particularly during his time with Newcastle Falcons towards the end of his career.

The racism claims prompted a thorough investigation by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and in April 2023, these claims were found to be true.

Despite it being an incredibly challenging period for Burrell, the ex-rugby union player believes that speaking out has been “the most rewarding thing he’s ever done.”

In an open and candid interview with Leaders’ Javan Odegah – recorded at IMG Studios in London – Burrell reflects on:

• Having the courage to speak out; and the potential blockers for other individuals thinking about doing the same;
• The support, and lack of support he received, after speaking out;
• Rugby union’s wider discriminatory and prejudice problems;
• How he hopes his experiences can be a gateway for others wishing to tell their story.