Nesta
has
launched
this
year's
mentoring scheme
for small businesses in the creative
industries.
Now in its third
year,
the
scheme will pair 30 of the creative industry's most successful
senior executives with small business leaders.
The Nesta Creative Business Mentoring Network (CBMN) is
designed to help the UK's most exciting businesses from the
creative sector realise their potential by matching them up
with industry experts such as Charles Wace, CEO of Twofour
Group and Andy Payne, CEO of Appynation.
A 2010 pilot project run by Nesta, the UK's Inovation
Foundation, found a strong link between business mentoring and
future business success with 95% of businesses in the pilot scheme
reporting increased confidence. A notable 85% had improved networks
and contacts, and profitability was improved for 53% of
companies.
Creative businesses from the film, TV, advertising, digital
media and gaming sectors are invited to apply online for a place
at www.nesta.org.uk/cbmn.
"Access to the experience and expertise of the industry's top
performers on a personal basis is a fantastic catalyst in the
development of creative businesses," says Jon Kingsbury, director
of creative economy programmes at Nesta. "We believe that mentoring
is one of the best ways for creative businesses to acquire the
skills and confidence they need to thrive."
One mentor Patrick McKenna, the CEO of Ingenious
Media, welcomes the initiative. "The UK has a world-leading
cultural and creative industry and the volunteer mentors involved
with this programme are very keen to play their part in ensuring
the next generation of world-beaters is able to succeed," he says.
"I am pleased to be involved with the CBMN and alongside my
mentoring peers, we look forward to working with the future stars
of our industry."
Thirty businesses will be chosen from across the UK to work with
one of the CBMN mentors. Over a six to twelve month period the
volunteer mentors will work with their mentee business leaders in
ten, two-hour sessions
The closing date for applications is 13 September at 11am. The
mentors and companies will be matched in September and mentoring
will begin in October.
For more information and to see a full list of the mentors,
click here.
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