As Brixton Finishing School approaches its 10th anniversary, the organisation is looking to shape new pathways into the industry for underrepresented talent.

At a time when youth unemployment is on the rise, the organisation is striving to create fit-for-purpose programmes to carve out new pathways for young talent. 

To evolve alongside the changing industry and meet the needs of today’s young people, Brixton Finishing School has created a new Alumni Board which will help shape its future programmes. 

The board is made up of 14 Summer School Alumni who will share their experiences and feed real-time insights into entry-level and early-years career experiences to the Brixton Finishing School team. 

Brixton Finishing School will then use the board’s insights to optimise the ways it supports underrepresented communities to enter and progress within the industry. 

Over the past 10 years, Brixton Finishing School has helped more than 400 alumni find places in the industry. Now, the graduates are no longer just part of the industry; they are responsible for its future. 

Brixton Finishing School is working with its alumni to ensure that it is able to help young people face an industry disrupted by technology and structural changes. 

The board will be chaired by Larisa Wong, Creative Strategist and graduate of BFS Summer School 2021. Upon graduation, Larisa secured a role as Social Community Manager at Anomaly and is now Creative Strategist.

“I owe so much of my journey to the opportunities Brixton Finishing School has given its alumni. With our industry facing changes and currently feeling the squeeze of an incredibly tough market, coming together is more vital than ever,” says Larisa Wong, BFS Alumni Board Chair.

She continues: “It truly takes a village to foster emerging talent, maintain our sense of community and belonging, and ensure BFS continues for future years—which is why I’m incredibly proud to help lead that effort and pay it forward with this fantastic group of alumni.”

The founding members of the Alumni Board are as follows: 

• Larisa Wong, class of 2021, Creative Strategist, Anomaly (Chair)
• Alfie Singleton, class of 2018, Paid Social Specialist, Freelance
• Phoenix Arielle Dorcas Matomby, class of 2019, Senior Account Director, Phoenix Gemini 
• Niamh Paul, class of 2020, Associate Strategy Director, R/GA
• Melanie Nogueira, class of 2020, Producer, Lego Group
• Mickey Jones, class of 2020, Creative & Copywriter, Freelance
• Hannah Vatandoust, class of 2021, Senior Strategist, Wieden + Kennedy
• Preshul Shah, class of 2021, Programmatic Media Trader, Audience Store
• Phakawan Janasing, class of 2022, Brand Strategy Consultant, Interbrand
• Carol Muriithi, class of 2023, Retail Media Account Executive, JC Decaux 
• Harish Menon, class of 2023, Account Manager, Equative 
• Tee Hussain, class of 2024, Account Executive, Career Break
• Joseph Ariyibi, class of 2024, Junior Creative, Uncommon 
• Hance Rosales, class of 2025, Junior Creative, The Romans 

“These incredible alumni are proof that our free, accessible, pathway works and I’ve been so proud to watch their progress since graduating from their respective Summer Schools. I’m hugely grateful to them for agreeing to join our alumni board and help smooth the path for their peers and those who will follow behind them,” added Ally Owen, Founder of Brixton Finishing School.