ITV’s Sam Tatlow MBE named In Disability Power 100 List 2023

At a prestigious event held in London last night – attended by the most influential Disabled people in the UK, as well as people from businesses and government – ITV’s Sam Tatlow MBE, Creative Diversity Partner in ITV’s Diversity & Inclusion Team, was celebrated in the Disability Power 100 List 2023 for a second year.

This globally significant campaign recognises the achievements and influence as a changemaker and pioneer of those honoured, with the hope of getting more Disabled people to be seen as experts and role models, helping to raise visibility and impact – all working to break the stigma around disability to create a more accessible and inclusive world for all.

Sam was named as a finalist as one of the elite 100 selected from 1,500 entries by an independent panel of alumni and disability leaders, chaired by Andrew Miller MBE. Sam was recognised as the top ten most influential in the Entertainment category alongside Rosie Jones, Chris Packham, Steve Brown, Sarah Mills, Mark Lane B.A. Hons, Dipl, Hon Doct (Arts), MSGD, Lenny Rush, Kim Tserkezie, Jamie Hale and George Robinson.

Sam Tatlow MBE is Creative Diversity Partner at ITV and is part of the team delivering the Diversity Acceleration Plan. She is involved in delivering ITV’s Disability agenda and also works closely with Producers and the commissioning teams to ensure a diverse and inclusive team are involved for ITV commissions – working particularly closely with the teams in Factual Entertainment, Sport, Daytime and the Soaps. She also works closely with the wider industry to embed access and inclusion for Disabled people working in Production through the TV Access Project

Prior to joining ITV, Sam worked for training and consultancy company thinkBIGGER! where she worked on projects such as the Channel 4 Production Training Scheme and on the training
programme for the Disabled presenters and reporters for the coverage of the London 2012

Paralympic Games. Sam chairs BAFTA’s Disability Advisory Group, is a member of their Learning, Inclusion and Talent committee and is part of BAFTA’s Diversity Steering Group for the Awards. She is part of the British Film Institute’s Disability Advisory Group and is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Graeae Theatre Company, the UK’s leading Disabled-led theatre company. She was awarded an MBE for her services to Disabled People in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours list in June 2022.

Sam Tatlow MBE, Creative Diversity Partner ITV said: “I’m so pleased to be included for a second time in this year’s Shaw Trust Power 100 which lists the top 100 most influential Disabled people in the UK. To be included amongst a group of so many brilliant Disabled people who are achieving great things and making change for our community is a real honour.

“Lists like this are vitally important to elevate the profiles of Disabled people who are often forgotten and overlooked, so I hope the recognition will help us inspire other Disabled people and encourage society to see the brilliance that Disabled people bring to our workplaces and communities.
“I’m really proud of the work we are doing at ITV to drive change in the representation of Disabled people and the accessibility of our workplaces, whether that is through the casting of programmes like Big Brother or our leadership initiative Amplify which this year was for our Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent colleagues. I’m looking forward to continuing this work and keeping the door propped open widely for all the other talented Disabled people to join us.”

In addition, Dr Shani Dhanda who sits on ITV’s Cultural Advisory Council was listed number one.
Also, Jason Arday, who also sits on ITV’s Cultural Advisory Council, was voted number one in the Education category.

The Disability Power 100 is a platform for change.

The Disability Power 100 recognises the most influential Disabled people in the UK. It celebrates their ambition and achievements, and provides much needed encouragement to the leaders of tomorrow.

The Shaw Trust Foundation is tackling the disability employment gap by demanding that the strengths and talents of Disabled people are recognised and that society is inclusive.
DisabilityPower100.com

DisabilityPower100 #DemandTheChange

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Background

A fifth of the UK’s population has a disability or impairment. However, there is very little recognition of successful and influential Disabled people.

Disabled people are more likely to be unemployed, and the gap is widening, and until we change the public perception of disability, to recognise strong, successful, influential people who are leaders in their field, this gap will continue.

According to government figures the disability employment rate has increased by 9.2 percentage points from 43.4% in July to September 2013 to 52.6% in July to September 2022.

Previous winners of the Disability Power 100 number one spot have included comedian and presenter Alex Brooker, campaigner and peer Baroness Jane Campbell and BBC disability journalist Nikki Fox.