Masterclass: Lorraine Heggessey, from Acton Gazette to Kensington Palace

Lorraine Heggessey, the first woman to run BBC One, talks to media consultant Donna Taberer about the barriers she had to overcome in her trailblazing career. In this Q&A, videoed from Lorraine’s home during the Covid-19 crisis, Lorraine discusses being a woman in a man’s world, why it’s good to get onto a daily show, like Newsnight, and how a journalistic background sets you up for doing anything. Lorraine was controller BBC One, she introduced shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and Spooks. She went on to become CEO of talkbackTHAMES, producing around 800 hours of programming a year, including entertainment hits X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Apprentice. She is currently chair of The Grierson Trust and advisor to Channel 4’s Growth Fund, offering support to several independent production companies. This Q&A is supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. It is part of a ScreenSkills Industry Greats Masterclass programme designed by media consultant Donna Taberer to support freelancers to upskill and stay connected, helping keep the industry resilient during the coronavirus crisis.