Pact, the trade association for independent production companies, has launched a Diversity Pledge for members to sign to show their commitment to raising diversity in the television industry.

Fifty-eight member companies have already signed up to the pledge, which has been widely welcomed by broadcasters and key industry stakeholders.

The voluntary pledge is supported by a Diversity Guide (download here), a toolkit with advice and contacts aimed at helping small and medium-sized creative businesses implement any changes quickly.

It contains practical advice on, for example, how to work with your local school in a strategic way to encourage new entrants, or what you should do if you are interviewing a person with a disability.

Broadcasters including Channel 4, Five and ITV, as well as key stakeholders, have backed the pledge as a way for Pact members to show their commitment to diversity, both in front of and behind the camera.

Mary FitzPatrick, BBC editorial executive of Diversity, said: "It’s vital that diversity in the broadest sense is embedded in companies from the top down and the new Pact Diversity Pledge will be an excellent way to encourage companies to think about how their programme proposals can best reflect the diversity of modern Britain.”

Sally Milne, head of resourcing and diversity at ITV, said: "ITV recognises the efforts and commitment being made by the Pact membership to educate and guide people in our industry with this practical and action-led document."

The pledge and guide were also warmly welcomes by David Kogan, chair of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network.

Bella Lambourne, chair of the Diversity Policy Group and director of HR at Endemol, said: "Not every company will need, or be able, to implement every aspect of the guide or the pledge, at least not straightaway. However, by raising awareness of the value of diversity, and by striving towards the goals held in the pledge, companies will be helping improve diversity within the sector."

Pact is the UK trade association that represents the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.

www.pact.co.uk