Creative UK launches Fast Forward, new growth programme for screen businesses as part of Creative Enterprise

Six mentors. Six superpowers. One goal: helping screen businesses scale.
For full programme details, eligibility criteria and application information, visit: https://creativeenterprise.wearecreative.uk/fast-forward

Today, Wednesday 26 August, Creative Enterprise, part of Creative UK, is pleased to announce the launch of Fast Forward, a brand-new specialist business growth programme designed to help ambitious screen businesses scale with confidence and build sustainable growth.

Delivered by Creative Enterprise and made possible through BFI National Lottery funding, Fast Forward is designed for established creative businesses - working in film and TV, games, immersive and createch - that are ready to strengthen their commercial foundations and accelerate growth.

The programme, which is sponsored by Barclays, combines expert-led workshops, peer learning and highly tailored mentoring to address the real-world challenges faced by growing businesses. Built on years of experience supporting creative entrepreneurs through the Creative Enterprise programmes, Fast Forward has been carefully developed to respond to the challenges that founders consistently face as they move from early success into a new phase of growth.

At the heart of Fast Forward is a bespoke mentoring model. Each participating business is matched with experienced industry mentors who bring distinct areas of expertise, offering tailored support. Whether businesses are navigating leadership challenges, raising finance, strengthening operations, refining strategy, growing sales, building teams or entering new markets, mentors bring their own specialist "superpower" to help founders overcome obstacles and unlock new opportunities.

Unlike one-size-fits-all business support programmes, Fast Forward is designed to adapt to the specific needs of each cohort, ensuring participants receive guidance that is relevant to their stage of growth and sector challenges.

A Team of Mentors with Growth "Superpowers"

A defining feature of Fast Forward is its mentors, bringing together experienced founders, investors, operators and advisors who each offer a distinct area of expertise. Following an initial business diagnostic, participating companies will receive tailored support aligned to their specific growth ambitions and challenges.

The Fast Forward mentor team includes:

Aimee Bateman - People, Values and Recruitment
Award-winning founder, executive coach and former CEO of the venture-backed EdTech company Careercake. Aimee brings expertise in leadership, recruitment, organisational culture, scaling teams and founder resilience, drawing on her experience securing both angel and venture capital investment before successfully exiting her business.

Cecilia Thirlway - Communications and Brand
A communications professional with more than 30 years' experience across organisations of all sizes, Cecilia specialises in strategic communications, brand positioning and emerging technologies. She helps businesses refine their messaging, strengthen their profile and communicate their value more effectively.

Martin Backlund - Content, Distribution Strategies and Investment
Former Managing Director of Prime Video Nordics and content licensing lead for Prime Video UK, Martin brings extensive experience in content strategy, commercial partnerships, distribution, growth planning and investment readiness.

Sandra Tusin - Financial Planning and Investment
Investor, entrepreneur and former investment banker specialising in AI, Web3 and blockchain. Sandra helps founders develop investment readiness, financial planning and growth strategies, bringing experience from venture capital, banking and entrepreneurship.

Tim McSweeney - Innovation and Process
A strategic advisor working at the intersection of technology, creativity and business growth. Tim draws on more than 20 years of experience in venture strategy and investment to help businesses identify opportunities, improve operational effectiveness and translate innovation into commercial outcomes.

Travis Baxter - Revenue Growth and Governance
A highly experienced media executive who has led and chaired businesses across Europe, including start-ups and exits worth up to £500 million. Travis supports founders with governance, commercial growth, leadership, business strategy and long-term scaling.

Together, they provide tailored support across all important elements of business growth.

Kate Sanders, Senior Programme Manager at Creative Enterprise, said:

"Fast Forward has been shaped by everything we’ve learnt from supporting hundreds of screen businesses over the years. The result is a programme that is practical, tailored and grounded in real business experience. We know that growth isn't just about increasing revenue. It's about building strong leadership, developing the right business systems, and putting the foundations in place for long-term success. By bringing together specialist mentors with expertise across investment, strategy, leadership, communications, governance and innovation, we're able to create a development journey that reflects the needs of the cohort while providing meaningful support to each individual business.”

Elaine Dowman, Head of Media & Creative Industries at Barclays Business Bank, said:

“Marking 40 years of supporting the UK’s media and creative industries, we’re proud to champion this programme and the talented entrepreneurs behind it. It’s a privilege to help businesses accelerate their growth, unlock new opportunities, and build the foundations for long-term success.”

Meet the Mentors & Apply Now

Businesses interested in learning more about the programme and its mentors will have the opportunity to attend a Meet the Mentors session on 10 September 2026, where prospective applicants can hear directly from the expert mentor team, learn about their specialist areas of support and understand how the programme can help accelerate business growth.

Registrations are now open – secure your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-mentors-fast-forward-2026-tickets-1996463868173

Applications for Fast Forward 2026 are now open with a deadline of Monday 14^th September at 5pm.

For full programme details, eligibility criteria and application information, visit:

https://creativeenterprise.wearecreative.uk/fast-forward