This January, the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation launches its new academy, Business By Design. The academy offers a free dedicated learning programme co-designed by young people for young people, which has been accredited by AQA, to help the next generation unlock their full potential and enter the creative business industry. The academy will accommodate young people aged 18-20, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to give them the best possible chance to kick start a career in the creative industry. The Business By Design pilot programme involves 20 young people and will run from January 2024 – July 2024.
Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, said: “The opening of the Business By Design academy is our biggest, most exciting launch yet. Kindness is at the core of our brand and it’s important that we demonstrate our commitment to delivering kindness. It was an ambitious project for the Kindness Foundation to set up an accredited learning programme within our fashion business and taking the leap to convert areas within head office into an academy. The number of applications from young people has been overwhelming. It was difficult to turn applications down and this demonstrates our need to continue the expansion of our academy programme.
“We have worked hard with our charity partners worldwide to support them in their mission to help young people break barriers. Now, it’s our turn. I’m immensely proud to unify our Kurt Geiger professional experts from all areas of the business, who will act as mentors and teach masterclasses to the next generation, by transferring their skill sets to a new wave of underrepresented talent to enable them to flourish. Our hope, beyond nurturing a culture of kindness within our own business, is to take Business By Design global, so we can help as many people as possible from young, marginalised communities enter the creative industry and be the one person to make a difference.”
The hybrid programme is a free and part-time to allow for other commitments. It combines inspirational masterclasses with hands-on skill sessions led by professionals to create an immersive learning experience in areas of Design, Buying, Merchandising, Digital, Marketing, Social Media and Finance. External guest speakers from the creative industry will be invited to host interactive talks once a month to inspire the learning process, including models and publishers, the Flag Twins, and former Nike Air Jordan sneaker designer, D’Wayne Edwards. Each young person will be assigned a mentor in the form of an experienced Kurt Geiger professional, who they will meet with each month for career guidance to reach their ultimate goal. They will be integrated into the Kurt Geiger community with access to a bespoke learning studio and a designated academy space for the duration of the programme, which will be based at the London head office. Travel and lunch expenses will be covered, and paid work experience is incorporated into the programme. Following the graduation in July 2024, one young future professional will be offered a one-year paid placement within the business at Kurt Geiger’s headquarters.
The Business By Design academy is fully funded by the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation. The Kindness Foundation is a stand-alone, non-profit charity, formally recognised by the United Kingdom Charity Commission, with a founding mission to remove barriers and give young people, no matter their background, the opportunities, support, and tools to enter the creative industry.
With thanks to Kurt Geiger customers, the ambition for the Kindness Foundation to raise £1 million has been achieved. The aim is to raise £1 million every year through Kurt Geiger purchases, supported by the Kurt Cares Loyalty programme. For each purchase of an eligible online and in-store item, Kurt Geiger donates £1 to the Kindness Foundation at no extra cost to its customers. If you’re a member of Kurt Cares Loyalty, Kurt Geiger will increase the donation up to £3 per item depending on your level.
