Lawyer Helena Kennedy becomes first chair of creative industries regulatory body

Human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy has been appointed chair of a new body that will tackle harassment and bullying in the creative industries, described as a "go-to body for anyone experiencing misconduct".

Kennedy, a member of the House of Lords, described the launch of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority as "a very important development". 

"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," she said. 

Heather Rabbatts, chair and founder of Time’s Up UK and founding chair of CIISA, and Barbara Broccoli, director and founder of Time’s Up UK, said: "The idea of creating a new standards authority started its journey with Time’s Up UK and has been in development with the creative industries round table and many other partners over these past few years. We are absolutely delighted that Baroness Helena Kennedy is our inaugural chair to launch CIISA this year.” 
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