Creative UK announce the launch of the 2025 cohort for the Female Founders Programme, designed to support and empower female entrepreneurs in the screen industries. This year, the programme is proud to welcome British Business Bank as its official sponsor, further strengthening its mission to equip female-led businesses with the tools, confidence, and networks needed to thrive.
The Female Founders Programme is part of Creative Enterprise, a business support initiative supported by the British Film Insitute with funding from the National Lottery. The programme offers a powerful combination of expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and peer support, tailored for women leading businesses in film, TV, gaming, immersive media, animation, and creative technology (createch). Through expert mentorship, strategic advice, and valuable industry connections, the programme provides female founders with a transformative opportunity to scale and sustain their ventures.
Introducing the 2025 Female Founders Cohort
This year’s cohort features a dynamic and diverse group of female entrepreneurs leading some of the most innovative businesses across the screen industries. From trailblazing production companies to innovative gaming studios and visionary media companies, these female founders are redefining the future of the creative industries.
The 2025 Female Founders Cohort are:
- Ali Quirk & Nav Raman, Chatterbox Media: a female led independent production company that produces the hit series Extraordinary Portraits Series 1 – 4, Meet The Khans and Charlotte in Sunderland
- Anne-Marie Batson – AmberGlass Presents: a media company with focus on sports broadcasting that brings fans closer to the action with dynamic and engaging content like ‘We are the Unacclaimed’ and the Tennis Black List,
- Becky Rooney – Rooscreen: a Midlands based production company working with emerging and established talent with a nomination for Royal Television Society awards.
- Becky Palmer & Olivia Dickinson – Playtest Games: game testing company specialising in games for children aged 14 and under
- Clare-Louise English & Jo Sargeant – Hot Coals Productions: an award-winning production company specialising in making work accessible to both Deaf and hearing audiences
- Elettra Pizzi – 130 Elektra Films: a production company with strong focus on stories hooked on true facts, which put humans under a microscope and expose their most fascinating quirks with their most recent success, Good Boy, being shortlisted for an Academy Award
- Emily Morgan – Quiddity: a critically acclaimed UK production company, with a slate of diverse film and TV projects including the award-winning I AM NOT A WITCH
- Emma Grazette – Raucous Pictures: an emerging production company specialising in bold, diverse storytelling through international co-productions with recent projects including the BBC Film-supported “Little Isis” and the international co-production “The Birthday Party”.
- Katy Raffin – Telling Tales Productions: an independent TV production company specialising in telling stories with emotion, humanity and humour including four years of films for Soccer Aid for UNICEF and C4’s Stand Up to Cancer
- Lou Kneath – PLUS3K LIMITED: a multi-award-winning animation studio serving broadcasters and brands worldwide; recently completing two seasons of My Friend Misty for SkyKids, executive produced by Fearne Cotton.
- Nicola Sands – Applehead Media: a dynamic media company with a mission to empower brands by harnessing the power of video storytelling and tailored content strategies that resonate with modern audiences.
- Sivan Raphaely – ODDHOUND Productions: a female-led independent film and TV company based in England and South Africa, developing and producing original IP spanning all genres.
These exceptional entrepreneurs will benefit from a six-month programme featuring tailored business mentoring, access to industry expertise, and a collaborative peer network, ensuring they have the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.
Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO at Creative UK, said: “At Creative UK, we believe that diverse leadership is essential to the strength and sustainability of the creative industries. Running business support programmes like Female Founders is crucial—not only to level the playing field but to unlock the full potential of creative entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and growth across the sector. By continuing to invest in new female talent, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic industry that reflects the creativity and ambition of those within it.”
Sarah Jones, Project Manager for the Female Founders Programme, said: “We are delighted to launch the 2025 cohort with the invaluable support of British Business Bank. This partnership allows us to extend our impact, providing female entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and connections needed to drive their businesses forward. The Female Founders Programme is more than just business support—it’s a community dedicated to fostering growth, confidence, and long-term success for women in the screen industries.”
Warren Ralls, UK Network Managing Director at the British Business Bank, said: “The British Business Bank is supporting the Creative UK 2025 Female Founders Programme because we know that female entrepreneurs in the creative industries face additional barriers when it comes to accessing the finance they need to grow and scale their businesses. Programmes such as this are key to providing the support which helps to overcome these barriers and ensuring that female led businesses have the opportunity to thrive.”
