Manchester-based social enterprise SharpFutures has unveiled a new brand identity designed to “reflect its evolution and growing role in connecting emerging talent with the creative industries.”
Founded in 2012, the social enterprise supporting young people into creative and digital careers has supported thousands of young people to develop skills, build industry connections and move into employment, working with major organisation like BBC, JD Sports, Co-operatives UK, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky.
The new identity has been created by Manchester-based design studio Instruct, bringing a distinct visual language and refreshed messaging to an organisation that has grown significantly since its launch.
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Gary Millar, SharpFutures board chairman, said: “SharpFutures has always been about more than training; it’s about opening doors that can genuinely change the trajectory of someone’s career. This new identity reflects where we are today. We’ve grown, our work has evolved, and our ambition is bigger, but our purpose remains the same: connecting people with the skills, networks and opportunities they need to build lasting careers in the creative industries.”
SharpFutures’ approach has been recognised by major industry partners. Kevin Blacoe, head of partnerships & skills at Channel 4, said: “SharpFutures has access to a truly diverse pipeline of talent, coupled with creative skills development experience, which has transformed a training scheme into real-world job outcomes for hundreds of young northern creatives. They’re a brilliant team to collaborate with and have played an important role in helping young people connect with employers and build careers in the creative and digital sector.”
At the heart of SharpFutures’ work is POD (People On Demand), its conscious recruitment model connecting emerging talent with leading employers and real-world opportunities.
For Charlie Sawers, who joined POD in 2022 and is now a researcher at the BBC, that pathway provided an opportunity to build industry connections and take her first steps into a career in media.
She said: “Before joining POD, I felt lost and started to think I would never make it in the media industry. POD gave me the chance to get my foot in the door, make valuable connections and find opportunities to work with top broadcasters like BBC and Channel 4.”
SharpFutures’ work spans the full creative economy, with industry-led training, workshops, masterclasses, professional briefs and employment opportunities designed around the needs of both talent and employers.
The launch comes as SharpFutures prepares for a series of events throughout October, including the Beyond The Music INSPIRE programme between October 6th and 9th at Media City and The ABC: Built to Last, in partnership with Allied London, Versa Studios and The Overlap on 20th October, bringing together industry, talent and partners to explore the future of creative careers and the workforce behind them.
