Diversity initiative Creative Equals, provides two free places on IPA foundation certificate course

Creative Equals, an advertising industry action plan initiative to create gender diverse creative departments, has provided two free places on the IPA’s Foundation Certificate course, sponsored by Major Players. This certificate is usually only open to member agencies, but art directors Ellen Wright and Holly Hunter were chosen by the Young Creative Council, are now on their way to obtaining one of the industry’s benchmark qualifications.

AnalogFolk, Mr President and JWT are among the agencies already signed up to Creative Equals, which wants agencies to create tangible action plans and pathways for female creative talent.

Ali Hanan, the founder of Creative Equals, said: "We plan to provide training, mentoring and support to help more women come into creative departments and stay. We believe - as an industry - we need to pick up young female talent faster. "Right now, just 14 per cent of London's creative directors are female. This is just one of many tangible things we can do to tackle the lack of female creatives."

Allison Upton, marketing director, Major Players, said: "We are delighted to support Creative Equals provide extra training through The IPA. Freelancers often miss out on formal training and development which is more freely available in permanent roles. There’s no doubt early development builds confidence and credibility to help women gain better job opportunities."

Creative Equals 50:50