‘Love Island host Maya Jama has teamed up with Creative Access to launch a new mentorship programme for marginalised women in UK creative industries, offering guidance in TV production, fashion and marketing’ reports The Media Eye.
“Love Island” host Maya Jama is partnering with social enterprise Creative Access to launch a new mentorship program for marginalised women in the U.K. creative industries. The six-month program will connect eight emerging creatives with powerhouse mentors from Jama’s own professional network who will offer guidance, insight and support in areas including TV production, broadcasting, fashion, communications, marketing and talent management. The program is aimed at women in the U.K. from underserved communities who are at the entry-level career stage and will also include a visit to a London school and an event for early-career professionals. Reports Ellise Shafer at Variety.
Broadcaster and entrepreneur Maya Jama is partnering with Creative Access, a leading social enterprise, to launch a groundbreaking new mentorship opportunity for women from historically underserved and marginalised backgrounds.
The 6-month programme will connect eight emerging creatives with eight powerhouse mentors from Maya Jama’s professional network. The mentors will offer guidance, industry insight, and career support in the worlds of TV production, broadcasting, fashion, communications & marketing, and talent management.
It is aimed at women from underserved and marginalised backgrounds in the UK who are at aspiring, entry or junior-level career stage and who have not previously worked with a mentor.
Maya has enlisted the following women within her network to act as mentors:
- Broadcaster and Entrepreneur – Julie Adenuga
- VP, Global Brand Marketing at Coty – Janine Fernandes
- Director of Entertainment at Insanity – Issy Lloyd
- ITV’s Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment – Amanda Stavri
- Senior Culture & Entertainment Manager at Diageo – Francesca Hayward
- Freelance Comedy Entertainment Executive Producer – Carol Baffour-Awuah
- Financial Times’ HTSI Editor – Jo Ellison
- Creative Director & Founder of fashion brand Ahluwalia & Film Director – Priya Ahluwalia
Maya Jama said:
“This mentorship programme is something I have always wanted to do. I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with Creative Access to connect talented young women with eight industry pros who will nurture and guide their careers.”
Josie Dobrin, executive chair of Creative Access, said:
“Creative Access is proud to partner with the brilliant Maya Jama on this impactful mentorship programme, which will provide a vital stepping-stone for eight talented aspiring creatives. It is more important than ever to commit to upskilling the next generation of diverse talent, and through mentorship in flagship creative sectors, eight women will gain the support, guidance and access they need to thrive. Without programmes like this, the industry risks missing out on the voices and visions that will shape its future.”
The programme will also include a visit to a London school and an event for early-careers professionals, both of which the mentors will be involved with.
This year’s nominations for People of Publishing 2025 were evaluated by a judging panel comprising Dan Conway, CEO of the PA, Josie Dobrin, executive chair and founder of Creative Access, and Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller. Reports Melina Spanoudi at The Bookseller.
‘Creative Access co-founder JOSIE DOBRIN is to head up the board at the Association of Illustrators (AOI)‘ reports Arts Professional.
‘The Association of Illustrators (AOI) has appointed Creative Access founder Josie Dobrin as its new chair‘ reports Maia Snow at The Bookseller.
‘Lantana and Edinburgh University Press among those who will host trainees‘ reports Lucy Nathan at BookBrunch.
‘Edinburgh University Press and children’s publisher Lantana have been named as two of the Mo Siewcharran Fund grant recipients as the organisation published its latest impact report.’ reports The Bookseller.
‘British-African theatre company tiata fahodzi is among five organisations to receive a share of the Mo Siewcharran Fund’ reports The Stage.
The Mo Siewcharran Fund is delighted to announce the recipients of five new grant awards: independent arts and events venue, Shoreditch Town Hall; British African heritage contemporary theatre, tiata fahodzi; children’s book publisher, Lantana; internationally touring dance organisation Dance Consortium; and leading scholarly publisher, Edinburgh University Press.
Now in its seventh year, the Mo Siewcharran Fund continues to champion a range of creative organisations, with a mission to help young people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds pursue careers in publishing, music and theatre.
Impact of the fund
Since its launch in 2018, the Fund has supported 57 Black, Asian and ethnically diverse trainees in publishing, theatre and music across the UK. Each grant contributes to the salary costs for a six-month traineeship and a full programme of support from Creative Access to ensure the trainee thrives in their new role.
The Fund’s impact is clear: two-thirds (63%) of interns have stayed on at their host organisation at the end of their traineeship, nine in ten (89%) continued to work in the same sector, and more than half (56%) brought fresh ideas and new perspectives to their company and role.
In addition to welcoming our newest grant recipients, we are pleased to publish our latest impact report for 2022 – 2025.
On this latest round of recipients, the founder of the Mo Siewcharran Fund, John Seaton said:
“It seems almost incredible that the interconnected concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion should be under any sort of threat. With a little hint of defiance, I will say they provide the mainspring of the Mo Siewcharran Fund. It is hugely exciting to welcome five companies, two in publishing, two in theatre and one in dance, who share these values so strongly. I look forward to working with them. It is a permanent joy to work with Creative Access who make all this happen.”
Josie Dobrin OBE, executive chair, Creative Access, said:
“The Mo Siewcharran Fund continues to be a joy to work with John on and the calibre of applications get stronger and stronger with each round. To that end, it’s a delight to award these newest awards to four such committed organisations. We’re confident that the lucky trainees recruited to each opportunity will have excellent experiences which act as springboards for their future careers in the sector”.
Shoreditch Town Hall is an independent arts and events venue presenting bold, original theatre, live performance and community programmes. Shoreditch Town Hall’s CEO, Julie Flavell said:
“We’re thrilled to be working with Creative Access through the Mo Siewcharran Fund to create meaningful, inclusive routes into the arts. This funding enables us to offer a hands-on, supported placement that gives a young person from the Global Majority real exposure to our creative and operational work. We’re excited not only to welcome a new voice to Shoreditch Town Hall, but to ensure the legacy of this opportunity lasts far beyond the placement itself.
Tiata fahodzi ltd. is a theatre company producing world-class work that reflects and celebrates the African heritage experience in Britain today. Artistic director & CEO, Chinonyerem Odimba, said:
“Tiata fahodzi is absolutely delighted to be a part of the Mo Siewcharran fund this year. We are all about bringing new diverse talent into the industry and being able to provide a young future theatre maker with an insight into how we work is an absolute joy.”
Lantana Publishing is an award-winning independent publisher committed to diverse and inclusive books for children. Christofere Fila, associate publisher, said:
“I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude in receiving the Mo Siewcharran Memorial Fund. As a small business, this is such a vital opportunity for us to transfer skills to someone from an under-represented background. We hope to provide a welcoming and productive environment to someone deserving, who will then go on to find a professional position somewhere else with confidence. And maybe one day in return they will also train someone and complete the circle.”
Dance Consortium is a group of UK theatres working together to bring the best international contemporary dance to audiences across the country. Dance Consortium’s chief executive, Joe Bates, said:
“Dance Consortium is proud to have been awarded a grant from the Mo Siewcharran Fund, managed by Creative Access, in support of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of diverse talent in the arts. This funding will help us provide meaningful career development for a young person from an under-represented background, as we continue to develop unique opportunities to support and diversify the touring ecology. This new partnership with Creative Access strengthens our mission to inspire new, diverse audiences and contribute to a more representative and equitable creative sector.”
Edinburgh University Press is a leading academic publisher sharing groundbreaking scholarship with global reach across the humanities and social sciences. Nicola Ramsey, chief executive officer, said:
“We know that a team is stronger when it is diverse, in terms of culture and morale, and that we benefit both personally and as a business from the creative solutions that come from a range of life perspectives and experiences. I am delighted that we will have the support of Creative Access and the Mo Siewcharran Fund in recruiting and training a publishing trainee from an under-represented background.”
The fund opens its next grant round
The Fund is once again open for other theatre, publishing or music organisations wishing to support internships for those from under-represented communities. The deadline for the next round is midday Thursday 27 November 2025. Those interested in applying should download the application form here.
‘Hachette UK staff attended its annual Changing the Story Festival on 8th September 2025, a day-long event “dedicated to reflecting on, connecting with and celebrating the business’ DEI commitment’ reports Lauren Brown at The Bookseller.
Pippa Considine of Televisual has covered the findings of Creative Access’ most recent Thrive survey amongst a climate of unprecedented disruption, with staff, freelancers, and employers alike navigating instability, shrinking opportunities, and the rapid introduction of AI.