60 Seconds with Emma Patterson-Bennett

Monday 28 October 2024

Tell us about your organisation and your role within.

I am the Diversity & Inclusion Lead for BBC Northern Ireland.

I don’t think the BBC needs any introduction but not only do we make amazing content for audiences to enjoy, we also employ staff across a multitude of jobs. It is important to us that the workforce we have also reflects the audience we serve so we can continue to make content that serves the people. As we know diversity of thought brings a lot of positive outcomes and I am delighted to be part of that work.

I joined in July 2022. BBC had a great D&I Strategy but there was a need to have tailored support locally bringing in the nuances of our society. I am delighted to be in this role and each day is different - from giving strategic and advice and guidance to working directly with our staff on areas that affect them and then of course outreach and training. I am lucky that I get to work for BBC NI but can also be involved in projects across the Nations and Regions and getting to know my counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales has truly been enriching.

What has been your career journey so far?

Oddly I always thought my career would take me down the police / prison or probation route - I have a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Masters in Criminal Justice. But coming from a working class background I didn’t have the money to explore the volunteering avenues or unpaid placements that a lot of my counterparts did in order to get a job in this sector. Instead I just started working in temp jobs in offices and fell on my feet when I got a place at the NI Assembly in Jan 2009, here it opened my eyes to other roads I could take in the public sector such as research and policy.

I started working in human rights in late 2009 when I started with what is now, the Commissioner for Older People, moved to the Children’s Commissioner (NICCY) in 2010 and then on to the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) in 2011. I stayed in this sector for just over 10 years, whist there I specialised in equality of opportunity as a bedrock from which to build rights.

Sadly my mastermind subject would probably be the NI Equality Duty (Section 75 of the NI Act)! Over the years I got the chance to work on reports to the UN, Brexit and rights, incitement to hatred legislation, anti-poverty work and women’s role in peacebuilding. It provided me so many opportunities on so many different topics.

I absolutely loved the human rights work and it has become a solid basis from which I build my diversity and inclusion work.

I then moved into the Education sector for 5 years in 2018 and worked advising and guiding senior leaders and schools on all aspects of equality, diversity, disability, rural needs and child rights. This was no easy task with a workforce of 46 000 and approx. 1200 schools but this again provided me with challenges and experiences you just wouldn’t get anywhere else.

It was pure luck that I saw an advertisement for the BBC NI Inclusion role on LinkedIn. From that moment the job had to be mine, I couldn’t think of anything else and from Feb 2022 when I put in the application to June 2022 when I did the final interview, it was all I thought about!

Outside of work I also continue to support where I can by giving equality, diversity and inclusion advice to other organisations and businesses and am an independent assessor for Diversity Mark.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Authentic, persistent, feminist.

What is the 1 skill that helps you the most in your role?

I was always a little embarrassed that I didn’t write or speak using big academic words but the older I got and further on in my career, I started to realise it is a skill being able to put complex issues into understandable language.

Do you have any advice for other people in your sector?

Don’t limit yourself, ask yourself if not you – who??

So many times we as women do not go for the job/ ask to be part of the project but instead decide we can’t do it. Give it a try, ask to be part of something and reach out to other women in the organisation no matter the level I bet they are willing to help.

Who is this mysterious person who is going to be better than you ..sometimes you might be able to point to someone but often you really can’t because you are that person!

Are there any exciting plans on the way for BBC NI?

There is a refurb of our iconic BBC building. This will be an excellent inclusive space for all our staff. This year marks 100 years of BBC NI, an exciting time to be part of the celebrations. Check out BBC iplayer and BBC Sounds for more.

On the D&I front we have a new BBC Strategy on the way with a focus on bringing in the aspect of ‘belonging’ to the strategy and the work we do. Once this is launched BBC NI will work on an action plan to embed it across all our work.

The other exciting D&I project I have got to work on is embedding an inclusion goal in appraisals for all staff across BBC Nations and Regions.

Who is an inspiration in your career?

I am very lucky to be surrounded by amazing women and they inspire me all the time, they aren’t all CEOs or senior leaders but the passion they bring to their roles inspires me. I can always ask them for their perspective and help and we aren’t there to compete with each other which is refreshing.

What’s your favourite break time snack?

Love a cinnamon swirl with a cup of tea!

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

Obviously it has to be one of the many playlists available on BBC sounds… really good one to check out at the minute is Precious Metal from our very own BBC NI Anne -Marie Wallace and Steven Rainy or Sounds of the 90s with Fern Cotton.

How can your fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and the team at BBC NI?

We have all our social media channels for both BBC and BBC NI but you can follow me on LinkedIn for specific D&I related content.

Monday 28 October 2024