Havas Media Network (plus a winner of The Apprentice) have chosen the winner of the Havas Boost programme.
This morning in Manchester, 6 aspiring entrepreneurs made their final pitch to the panel, which included 2018 Apprentice winner, Sian Gabbidon.
“Meeting so many talented and passionate business owners highlighted the incredible potential across the entrepreneurial community in the North,” said Gabbidon.
“The energy on the day was incredible – so many driven and ambitious entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, with many building their businesses from nothing. Choosing a winner was no easy task, but knowing this funding will transform not just their business but also the lives of those their business impacts make it all worthwhile.”
The Havas Boost programme is focused on the North West and gives the winner £150k of funding, advertising and support. All of those applying had to come from less advantaged backgrounds and own a business (2-3 years) demonstrating a purpose beyond profit.
The winner was Christina (Tina Rehana) Taylor, the founder of Aim Sky High Talent, a talent agency dedicated to helping individuals in media and sports build their personal brands, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented communities – particularly ethnic minorities and women – as well as people with purpose.
“Winning this competition is exactly what we needed at this time,” said Taylor.
“Partnering with an agency like Havas Media Network will provide us with the expertise and industry connections essential for our growth. We’ve come this far on our own, but I’m confident this collaboration will elevate us to new heights, enabling us to continue driving meaningful change in the industry.”
As a mixed Bangladeshi and Black female founder, she leverages strong community ties to scout and support talent from underrepresented backgrounds. Clients already include the likes of Mary Earps.
“Watching the passion and innovation of the entrepreneurs at the final pitch day was truly inspiring. Tina and Aim Sky High Talent stood out for embodying the same values we cherish at Havas Media Network —social mobility, inclusion, and a relentless drive to create positive change,” stated Nick Wright, Chief Growth Officer and programme founder, Havas Media Network.
“We are thrilled to support Tina in scaling her business and amplifying the impact she has already made. The synergy between Aim Sky High Talent and our capabilities, particularly through Havas Play’s influencer network, will help supercharge the agency’s reach, enabling Tina to empower even more underrepresented voices across media and sports.”
Havas Boost moved to Manchester earlier this year.
