The CIISA Team

Jen Smith

Jen Smith is CEO of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) responsible for developing its remit, operating model and governance structure. Jen led the creation and publication of the screen sectors’ first ‘Set of Principles and Guidance to Prevent Bullying and Harassment and Racism’ convening over 50 cultural organisations to adopt them, in addition inspiring additional editions tailored for the Theatre and Music sectors. In her previous role at the BFI before leaving to lead CIISA, she was responsible for gaining international recognition for the BFI Diversity Standards, achieving Autism Friendly Status for BFI Southbank, partnering with Changing Faces on the impactful #Iamnotyourvillain campaign and ensuring that the full range of diversity data on who the BFI funds and employs is published annually. Jen has also held a broad range of roles in the housing sector leading on Strategy, PR, Business Development, Learning and Develpment and Inclusion. Prior to that Jen worked as Parliamentary Researcher specialising in Foreign Affairs and International Relations and is a member of the Institute of Regulation and an ACAS accredited mediator.

Andrew Medlock

Andrew joins the CIISA team as the COO. Andrew is a senior leader with over 15 years of operational and strategic experience in improving social justice for the public through his work with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, who investigate complex complaints about the NHS in England and UK Central Government. Andrew is highly skilled in delivering strategically significant initiatives, innovation and transformational change, using user-led service design approaches and public engagement to shape services design. Andrew was the Senior Responsible Officer for building the Ombudsman’s Complaint Standards initiative, building strong working relationships with stakeholders across the NHS and Central Government on excellence in complaints handling and organisational learning. He was also responsible for oversight of outreach within the public and increasing awareness of (and trust in) the Ombudsman in diverse and underrepresented communities.

“Having come from a long background of working in a values-driven organisation that has a strong ethos in social justice and supporting organisations to using feedback to continuously develop, I am hugely proud to join CIISA and get behind its hugely important cause’, says Andrew, “and am really looking forward to working with the team to bring CIISA to life.”

Niyi Akeju

Niyi joins CIISA as Head of Standards Development. Niyi has over two decades’ experience in stakeholder engagement and project management in the screen industries. She recently led the UK-wide BFI Film Academy programme to help young people build careers in film and television. Previous roles include heading up communications for the BBC’s filmmaking arm BBC Film, and senior PR roles at the BFI supporting film production, exhibition, skills and inclusion. During 11 years at BAFTA, Niyi oversaw corporate communications and devised long-standing initiatives including the organisation’s first ever mentorships, the BAFTA Scholarship Programme, and BAFTA Young Game Designers. Niyi has also been a consultant to industry-led skills body ScreenSkills. Niyi began her career in public relations at leading global PR agencies. She wrote briefly for a TV soap opera and was Diversity Executive at the UK Film Council.

Ella Newman

Ella has joined the CIISA Team as Executive Assistant. Ella supports the whole team with scheduling, long term strategic planning and board and governance arrangements, such as the Standards Advisory Committee and Co Creation Council. Ella previously worked at Warner Music and prior to that was PA to the Managing Director of Small Green Shoots.

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Contact Details

For general enquiries: info@ciisa.org.uk

For all press enquiries: press@ciisa.org.uk

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legals

The purpose of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries.

Registered address: 22 Wycombe End,  Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1NB, United Kingdom

Access Statement

Whilst CIISA is not yet a live organisation, access is at the heart of who CIISA is. CIISA is committed to preventing bullying and harassment, including that of an ableist nature. If you require any information currently on the CIISA website in an alternative format, please email  info@ciisa.org.uk with your request and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We are very happy to help and welcome queries from d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people wanting to learn more about CIISA.

Consultation statement

We welcome feedback at this crucial stage in our development. If you have any questions or comments on CIISA at this stage, please contact info@ciisa.org.uk.