Just 12% of the creative industry is from a working-class background. Did this statistic happen by accident? Or is there more we can do to diversify our studios? Discussing parental privilege, accent mocking, social embarrassment, regionality importance and so much more – this episode highlights some of the barriers to working-class creatives trying to crack the industry, and those already working within it.

Relaying lived experience is Verity Wheatley, a Senior Designer who faced some post-graduate hurdles that impacted her whole career. Co-founder of Common People, Lisa Thompson shares stories from her network of working-class creatives and how a lack of diversity affects work. We hear from Craig Oldham, Founder of Office of Craig, who shares how he’s code-switched during his career and how those experiences influence his running of a studio. Along with recent graduate Charlotte Cole who shares what it’s like to study and enter the industry with these additional barriers.

A very powerful discussion that should be heard by every creative striving for social diversity. 

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Hosted & created by Katie Cadwell

Edited by James from Be Heard

Original music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren

Honourable mentions include Fiasco Studio, DixonBaxi, Koto, Common People, The Working Class Creatives Database, ‘What Is Your Working Class?’ podcast by Aidan Teplitzky

Statistics from The Sutton Trust ‘Bridging the Gap’ report

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