Official government portrait of Baroness Kennedy

Kennedy is a lawyer with extensive experience working on issues affecting women's rights

Changing Faces

Safeguarding authority appoints first Chair

Arts Professional
2 min read

The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, CIISA, has announced HELENA KENNEDY as its first Chair.

As a dedicated, independent authority that aims to combat bullying and harassment of a discriminatory nature, CIISA has been endorsed by government and sector leaders to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries.

Kennedy is a lawyer and member of the House of Lords with extensive experience working on issues affecting women's rights and education. She was involved in developing the defence of PTSD in the UK courts and, in 2012, led the Equality and Human Rights Commission Inquiry in Scotland addressing human trafficking.

CAROLINE NORBURY, Chief Executive of Creative UK and one of CIISA's interim leadership team said: “As CIISA becomes operational, we’re delighted to welcome Baroness Helena Kennedy as our brilliant new Chair."

"As one of our country’s foremost legal minds, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience as we establish CIISA’s services to eliminate bullying, harassment and discriminatory behaviour in the creative industries, ushering in a new climate of much-needed cultural change.”

Kennedy added: “ A high proportion of those working in the arts and in other cultural fields are self-employed and especially vulnerable to abusive and exploitative conduct. A carefully wrought framework is essential to create fair and respectful treatment for everyone in these working environments.

"I also think the CIISA could provide a template for other sectors where such problems are also rife. This will be the ‘go-to’ body for anyone experiencing misconduct. I am looking forward to chairing the board and helping in its establishment."