Creative Access, a leading diversity, equity and inclusion social enterprise, is today announcing the promotion of Yasmin Hemmings, to acting head of programmes and the appointment of Bhavini Goyate and Jolie Hockings as programmes managers to enhance ongoing support and training for its interns and alumni from groups under-represented in the creative economy.
Hemmings is a Creative Access alumna herself and originally joined in March 2021 to lead its gateway for the Government’s Kickstart scheme, successfully securing funding to create 400 creative jobs for 16-24 year-olds on Universal Credit. She has a proven track record of crafting successful career programmes for entry level to senior professionals at arts organisations, including English National Opera, Philharmonia Orchestra and the Barbican Centre. As acting head of programmes, Hemmings joins the senior management team and will own and amplify vital support & training programmes, outreach events and mentor matching for early career candidates, through to alumni as part of Creative Access’ broader mission to make the creative industries more representative of our society.
Overall, 92% of Creative Access alumni continue working in the creative industries after completing a Creative Access programme, proving how the confidence and skills gained in the schemes directly result in industry retention.
Bhavini Goyate, another Creative Access alumna, joins as programmes manager, alumni. Goyate brings seven years arts administration experience from prestigious theatre organisations such as Paines Plough, tiata fahodzi and the Young Vic Theatre, and most recently, Clore Leadership Programme. With 90% of Creative Access alumni stating that the organisation has had a significant impact on their career progression, Goyate will personally drive relationship management with its alumni. She will also champion the Creative Access development programme of leadership training designed for line managers and freelancers, and mentor matching.
Jolie Hockings joins as programmes manager, interns. Hockings has spent four years engineering youth programmes for The Photographers’ Gallery, which culminated in the launch of a creative careers programme supporting emerging talent.
Bibi Hilton, CEO, Creative Access:
“These appointments are testament to the impact of our Creative Access candidate programmes with both Yasmin and Bhavini being Creative Access alumni. Yasmin has been instrumental in opening up creative industry careers through the kickstart programme and in the development of our new Steering Group initiative and I’m thrilled to now have her join our management team. I’m looking forward to working with her, Bhavini and Jolie to continue to develop and strengthen our unique, progressive support for people from under-represented groups aspiring to enter and progress in the creative economy.”
Creative Access has proudly placed over 250 people from under-represented groups in roles and internships in the creative industries this year alone. Our unique programme of monthly masterclasses, mental health training, regular safeguarding check-ins throughout placements, as well as our personalised pathways and community building, demonstrates the huge effort we put into hiring and ongoing support that builds career success, confidence and retention for under-represented talent.”
