Agent Academy announces formation of industry advisory board

Agent Academy, the not-for-profit sister enterprise of Agent, a leading Northern full-service marketing agency, is pleased to announce the formation of its new advisory board.

Made up of industry leaders who are committed to social mobility and inclusion, the advisory board’s function will be to support Agent Academy as it delivers its goal of making sure that local talent has access to opportunities, regardless of where they started out in life.

For over a decade, the organisation has achieved this by delivering a practical, industry-designed curriculum with real-life client briefs, which has so far empowered over 5,000 young people, with a staggering 72% coming from underrepresented backgrounds.  Since its inception, the Academy has created an impact of £35 million worth of salaries into the UK workforce, with hundreds of North West companies growing as a result of the talent it has developed.

The board’s members will provide expert advice on strategic direction and initiatives as well as acting as ambassadors for Agent Academy, promoting its work and engaging with potential partners and growth opportunities. The board will review results and drive innovation to maximise employment outcomes and social impact.

Simon Swan, the founder of Hiring Hub, will chair the advisory board. He will be joined by CGI UK’s vice president consulting services, Paul Buxton; redwigwam’s CEO, Lorna Davidson; Everton FC’s head of equity and inclusion, Ben Osu; and Dearbump’s head of brand and community, Kat Jackson.

Agent Academy director Zoe Wallace commented: “Staying true to our purpose, being future-focused and responding to industry need has been at the heart of Agent Academy’s success for the last 10 years. We’re committed to making sure our programmes are always industry-designed, equipping young people with the skills, experiences and confidence to thrive in high-value creative, digital and tech careers.

“These careers are more than just jobs; they are catalysts for change, transforming lives, strengthening communities and driving economic growth in our region. Bringing together these industry leaders to advise, challenge and push us forward is an exciting and important next step.

“True partnership and collaboration have always been central to our approach and with their expertise, we can deepen our impact, expand our reach and unlock even greater opportunities for the next generation of talent in the North.” she added.

Simon Swan said: “Having worked in the digital industry for decades, and most recently as the founder and leader of Hiring Hub, I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it can be for businesses to access diverse future talent. At the same time, many young people in our communities can feel the industry is a locked door with no way to get a foot in.

“Coming from a non-traditional background into the tech industry myself, I understand the need to recognise talent that is often hidden in plain sight and the life-changing impact that recognition and opportunity can have. Agent Academy exists to break down barriers and I’m excited to work alongside my fellow board members and Agent Academy’s committed team to push forward and create even greater impact in the years ahead,” he continued.

For more information on Agent Academy, please visit https://agentacademy.org.uk/