Miranda Wayland - CEO of Creative Diversity Network

Miranda Wayland has over 20 years’ experience working for the world’s largest and most influential broadcasters and streamers, which include, Amazon MGM Studios, BBC, and ITV.

She has both national and international DEI expertise working for FTSE100 organisations, a track record of developing and implementing strategies that effectively drives culture change, and worked across both, strategic and operational delivery requirements that have supported industry leaders to implement policies and governance structures for increased representation at all levels of the organisation.

Miranda was listed Variety’s Impactful International Women of 2023 and awarded the Winner of the Inspirational Leader of the Year by the Precious awards, which celebrates the achievements of women of colour in business leadership and work, in 2020.

Miranda was appointed CEO of Creative Diversity Network (CDN) in September 2024.

Having worked in the industry internationally and on a local level, what has inspired you to stay committed to the cause of Diversity and Inclusion? How has your journey been so far?

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion creates the foundation of equitable storytelling. My journey has always been driven by the undeniable desire to ensure equity for all and through the medium of TV, ensuring our industry accurately and consistently represents its audiences, society and the population via its workforce.

Having worked across different markets, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of inclusive practices and, conversely, the damage caused by their absence. The drive to create systemic change and the steadfast belief that our industry is committed to change keeps me driven and focused. Progress has been made, but the work is far from done. The biggest challenge—and opportunity—is ensuring that inclusion is not a project, but a standard embedded across every level of the creative process, to which we all collectively work together to achieve.

How do you measure progress in diversity across the film and television sectors, and are there any recent trends or achievements you’re particularly proud of?

Progress must be measurable, and at CDN, we ensure that data sits at the heart of accountability. Our Diamond project provides the industry with the most comprehensive dataset on diversity in UK broadcasting, tracking representation on and off-screen. While we’ve seen improvements in areas such as gender representation and proactive approaches to inclusion, challenges remain, particularly in disability representation and socioeconomic diversity. I’m particularly proud of how our data has driven real policy change, empowering broadcasters to remain vigilant to their commitments for Equity and Inclusion.

It is inspiring to see Black women in roles like these. As a leader in the creative industries, how do you navigate the complexities of maintaining a personal voice while upholding the values and expectations of your organisation in an increasingly polarised world?

Any leadership in this space requires conviction, resilience, and adaptability. As a Black woman, I recognise the importance of using my platform to amplify the voices of those who are often not in the room, while also ensuring that our work at CDN remains rooted in evidence and best practice. Navigating polarisation means staying focused on the facts—ensuring that our interventions are driven by data rather than opinion. It also requires a willingness to challenge the status quo, even when uncomfortable, and to push for systemic change in a way that brings people along rather than alienates them.

We are looking forward to your presence at TNB XPO 2025. What excites you most about participating in TX25 this year, and what message or advice do you hope to convey to the attendees?

TX25 is a vital space for conversations that drive action. What excites me most is the opportunity to connect with changemakers who are as committed as we are at CDN to embedding equity in the creative industries. My message to attendees is simple: representation is power. But power must be cultivated, protected, and wielded responsibly. The work we do now determines the stories that will be told for generations to come.

How do you see collaborations between organisations like the CDN and grassroots collectives, such as The New Black Film Collective, fostering change?

Grassroots collectives are often at the forefront of innovation and advocacy. Their work is deeply connected to communities, ensuring that lived experiences shape the narratives we see on screen. CDN’s role is to bridge the gap between grassroots activism and industry decision-making, ensuring that systemic barriers are dismantled. Collaboration means creating clear pathways for talent, securing funding, and embedding accountability at every stage of the creative pipeline so that it is open to all.

With AI playing an increasing role in content creation and decision-making, how do you see its potential to either support or hinder progress in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within the creative industries? What steps can organisations take to ensure AI tools are used responsibly in this space?

AI holds both promise and risk. If used responsibly, it can help reduce bias in decision-making, analyse representation gaps in content, and provide valuable insights into audience engagement with diverse narratives. However, if left unchecked, AI can replicate and reinforce systemic biases, as it is only as objective as the data it is trained on. Organisations must adopt a responsible AI framework—ensuring transparency in how algorithms are developed, auditing for bias, and centering human oversight in critical decision-making processes.

What’s next for the CDN, and how do you envision the network contributing to a more inclusive future for the creative industries?

CDN’s next phase is about deepening impact. 

That means strengthening our data-driven approach, expanding industry-wide participation in Diamond, and ensuring that the insights we generate translate into tangible change. 

We’ll also be focusing on policy interventions, working closely with regulators, broadcasters, and industry stakeholders to ensure that inclusion is not just encouraged but sustainable. Beyond that, we’re looking at how we can future-proof our work, ensuring that the next generation of creatives inherits an industry that is fair, representative, and forward-thinking.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.