RightsInfo is delighted to announce the appointment of its first full-time Chief Executive, Julia Kirby-Smith, a multi award-winning broadcast journalist and digital media specialist.
Julia has over 14 years’ experience in broadcast journalism, having held senior roles at Channel 4 News, and worked at ITV News and Sky News amongst others. She played a key role in Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning coverage of the 2012 London Paralympics, and has won awards for her documentaries about domestic violence, Ebola and asylum seekers.
She has worked on both the journalism and management sides of media businesses and has successfully run two independent production companies. Most recently she has worked with Save the Children, Change.org, Oxfam and the UNCCD on film and digital projects. She brings to RightsInfo a strong interest in using storytelling and digital media to deliver social change.
More about RightsInfo
RightsInfo is a registered charity which increases knowledge of and support for human rights in the UK through accurate, engaging, plain English online content.
Launched less than two years ago, RightsInfo has already become a market leader in human rights communications. RightsInfo has tens of thousands of social media followers, its resources have reached millions of people, and it is already having a real impact in the debate over the future of UK human rights.
RightsInfo has expanded rapidly and now has a dedicated team of six staff and 20 fantastic Project Volunteers. You can read more about the team here.
Comments
Julia Kirby-Smith, Chief Executive: “I am delighted to be taking up this role, at a time when human rights in the UK seem increasingly under threat. 2016 brought us Brexit, Trump, and question marks over the UK’s Human Rights Act and our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights – all of which highlight the need to protect our rights and freedoms more than ever.
“My mission now is to steer RightsInfo through its next stage of growth and help it cement its reputation as the leading platform for clear, honest and engaging human rights news and information in the UK.”
Adam Wagner, Founder and Strategic Director: “I am incredibly proud of what RightsInfo has achieved in the short time since its launch. But there is still so much to do, and with Julia’s appointment we are now set up to take the organisation to the next level. Her leadership skills and amazing range of experience in content creation will give us the cutting edge, and help us achieve our aim of building a lasting human rights culture in the UK.”
- Julia can be reached on julia@rightsinfo.org
- Full resolution image available here