ITV, a British free-to-air public broadcast television network, announced the appointment of Ade Rawcliffe as Chief People Officer, effective from January 2025.
Currently serving as ITV’s Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion, she has been a member of the Management Board since 2020. Rawcliffe will succeed the current Chief People Officer, David Osborn, who is set to depart in spring 2025.
Over the coming months, Osborn will work closely with Rawcliffe to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
In her new role, Rawcliffe will oversee the Group Human Resources and Global Risk Operations teams, including ITV’s Duty of Care, while continuing her work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I).
She brings over 20 years of experience in the television industry, having begun her career in production, working in the independent sector and at the BBC.
Rawcliffe also spent a decade leading Channel 4’s Creative Diversity team before joining ITV in 2017 as Head of Diversity Commissioning, reporting to Kevin Lygo. She was later promoted to Director of Creative Diversity, working across both the Media & Entertainment and Studios divisions.
During her time at ITV, Rawcliffe has spearheaded key initiatives, such as the £80 million Diversity Commissioning Fund, the Step Up 60 program, which created nearly 200 opportunities, and several internal talent development programs like ITV’s leadership initiative Amplify. She has also played a significant role in DE&I training and development for ITV employees.
ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said, “Ade will be a great success in her new expanded role. She has a background in both production and commissioning and considerable experience of leading change as well as management and leadership development. I’m sure she will successfully lead and develop our people teams. David Osborn leaves with all of our good wishes for everything he has done for ITV. He has made the most enormous contribution to the company and we owe him huge thanks.”
Rawcliffe said, “I am delighted to be appointed Chief People Officer at ITV and to be working with the brilliant HR team, supporting our people across the whole of ITV. I’m looking forward to building on the great work we have done in learning and development and our industry-leading Duty of Care policies and processes. I will drive more progress on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and continue to ensure that ITV is a great place to work for everyone.”
