Creative Enterprise, part of Creative UK, has launched new specialist business growth programme designed to help ambitious screen businesses, Fast Forward.
Delivered by Creative Enterprise through BFI National Lottery funding, Fast Forward is designed for established creative businesses – working in film and TV, games, immersive and createch – that are ready to “strengthen their commercial foundations and accelerate growth.”
The programme, which is sponsored by Barclays, combines workshops, peer learning and mentoring to address the “real-world challenges faced by growing businesses.”
Each participating business is matched with experienced industry mentors. “Whether businesses are navigating leadership challenges, raising finance, strengthening operations, refining strategy, growing sales, building teams or entering new markets, mentors bring their own specialist “superpower” to help founders overcome obstacles and unlock new opportunities.”
The Fast Forward mentor team includes Aimee Bateman (People, Values and Recruitment), Cecilia Thirlway (Communications and Brand), Martin Backlund (Content, Distribution Strategies and Investment), Sandra Tusin (Financial Planning and Investment), Tim McSweeney (Innovation and Process), and Travis Baxter (Revenue Growth and Governance). Together, they provide tailored support across all important elements of business growth.
Kate Sanders, Senior Programme Manager at Creative Enterprise, said: “Fast Forward has been shaped by everything we’ve learnt from supporting hundreds of screen businesses over the years. The result is a programme that is practical, tailored and grounded in real business experience. We know that growth isn’t just about increasing revenue. It’s about building strong leadership, developing the right business systems, and putting the foundations in place for long-term success. By bringing together specialist mentors with expertise across investment, strategy, leadership, communications, governance and innovation, we’re able to create a development journey that reflects the needs of the cohort while providing meaningful support to each individual business.”
