Ally is Channel 4’s Creative Diversity & Disability Lead, leading on disability-focused strategic editorial plans. Taking a “Paralympics And Beyond” approach, she works with commissioners and independent producers to grow Channel 4’s legacy of ground-breaking disability inclusion both on and off screen.

After starting her career in market research, Ally joined television in 2002, working in production at BBC Children’s on programmes such as Xchange, Blue Peter and Sportsround.  Meanwhile, she became a key member of the internal disabled staff network and completed a Masters in Social Research Methods, including a distinction-level dissertation on the representation of disability in children’s television, now part of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity timeline of research.  

Ally then moved into BBC Marketing & Audiences as an Audience Planner, where she supported creatives and editorial decision-makers in insight-led approaches to developing, commissioning and producing content and channels.  Within this, she specialised in understanding and representing under-served audiences and advising on accurate and authentic portrayal, with a particular focus on disability.

Launching her own creative strategy consultancy in 2014 specialising in content, brand and communication, Ally worked across broadcasting and beyond, with clients such as Channel 4, Sony Pictures Television, A+E, Fremantle, Disney, BBC, Viacom and ITV, on projects related to diversity as well as providing creative strategy support more broadly.

Ally’s passion for genuine inclusion and authentic portrayal in the screen industries has led her to tirelessly represent the voices and views of disabled people both on and off screen for nearly 20 years.