Ally Owen founded Brixton Finishing School due to the need to create a diverse and equitable talent blueprint for our industry. This award-winning accelerator that finds, trains and places ‘under-represented’ talent in roles. Recognising the impact that COVID-19 had on young people’s futures, Ally also launched the game-changing ADcademy program which gives over 2500 students a year across the UK a fairer chance to succeed. 2021 also saw the launch of ADventure, which aims to introduce our industry to 100k diverse 14-18 year olds and Visible Start for women over 45s.
Allys' accolades include Changemaker 2023, MEFA Diversity Awards, Judges’ Choice, Media Leader 2022, Campaign 2021 Female Frontiers Championing Change Honouree/Campaign 'Trailblazer' 2020/ BIMA 2020 Champion for Change/ AD Age 2020 'Woman to watch in Europe
Brixton Finishing School accolades include Britains’ Best Digital Skills and Inclusion programme (DL 100 2019), Silver in the Change Maker category in the Scottish Marketing Society Awards (2021), Highly Commended Advertising Association TrailBlazer Award (2023), shortlisted for Charity/Not for Profit of the Year by the National Diversity Awards (we will find out in March 2024!).