Fast Track 50: meet 50 trailblazers redefining the creative & digital industries

We’re thrilled to announce 2019’s Fast Track 50!
Google and The Dots have partnered on the inaugural Fast Track 50 programme to fast track the careers of 50 rising stars – ensuring they land opportunities regardless of challenges set by socio-economic background.
Over the past six months, the Fast Track 50 have had unrivalled access to industry connections and opportunities through a series of profession/skills masterclasses, industry introductions and speed recruitment events with the best in the industry.
40 of the Fast Trackers were hand-picked by nine incredible diversity organisations including Princes Trust, Gal-Dem, Creative Mentor Network and Techmums (see full list below) who each nominated their star performers. The remaining 10 were selected via an open application process on The Dots – with an eye to those that want to make a social impact in the industry and pay it forward.

Read on to meet the Fast Track 50, and if you are looking to hire then please reach out to these incredible trailblazers (or send the list to somebody you know is looking for talent!).

Meet 2019's Fast Track 50: 
Alan Hu, software developer
Alfie Singleton, creative producer, creative project manager & account management
Amber Williams, website developer, mobile application developer & front-end developer
Andrea Zlotnick, copywriter & creative 
Andy Aw, graphic designer, creative, illustrator
Annika Schmid, product designer, graphic designer & UX Designer
Beatrice Opara, front end developer 
Benas Skripka, product designer & UX strategist
Catherine Tranfield, content marketer, strategist & copywriter
Christie Fewry, fashion designer, SEO marketing trainee & YouTube content creator

Dagmar Bennett, entrepreneur, creative producer & live events manager 
David Osafo, producer, content curator & creative director
Davis Boateng, model, account executive & actor
Dikchhan Tamang, client success manager, data analyst/visualisation & graphic designer
Dionne Boateng, editorial writer, content writer & blogger
Eduardo Da Costa, events producer & social media content creator 
Emily Nelson, copywriter, photographer & art director
Emily Webber, IT service manager, marketing & data analyst
Ibukun (Ibz) Adegola, digital UI/UX designer
Jade Nash, videographer & creative 

Jemima Matuba, social media content creator, blogger & social media intern
Jen Lim, writer, director & videographer
Kathryn Rogers, musician, writer & lighting technician
Leanna Dixon, health & safety advisor
Leon Celan, strategist, poet & actor
Lina Diine, researcher, student & junior coder
Lynne Egwuekwe, UX researcher & designer
Maymuna Ali, project manager
Melody Adebisi, market researcher, writer & content creator
Millie McQuillin, software engineer & product manager

Miroslav Radu, artworker, retoucher & graphic designer
Morgan McTiernan, social marketing, copywriter & content curator
Nadia Khan, strategist, project manager & consultant 
Natty Kasambala, writer, broadcaster & strategist
Nibras Ib, creative lead, writer & visual designer
Oluwaseun Onile-ere, user researcher
Pauline Malubay, podcaster, UX researcher & UX designer
Phoebe Montague, community manager, events producer & social media manager
Precious Azubuike, product designer, UI Designer, graphic designer
Radeyah Abbas Saud, UX researcher & digital designer

Raman Rai, strategist, photographer & consultant
Rashida Seriki, product manager & project manager
Rebecca Mortimer, product manager, business analyst & tech specialist
Samara Straker, creative, marketer & video editor
Sinead McGeechan, illustrator, book illustrator & curator
Victoria Aquino, animator, photographer & curator
Victoria Azubuike, founder, event coordinator & project manager
Wale Shittu, filmmaker, video content producer & video editor
Yll Bajrami, fashion designer, graphic designer & art director

Diversity organisations that nominated their star performers:

The Prince's Trust 
A youth charity that helps young people aged 11 to 30 get into jobs, education and training
Tate Collective 
Connecting young people to art through events, exhibitions and opportunities in the industry
gal-dem 
An online and print magazine written by women of colour and non-binary people of colour
Techmums 
Workshops and online support to help mums around the country feel more confident in technology
Code Untapped 
Teaching individuals from a BAME background through a regular programme of Hackathons
D&AD Shift 
A life-changing night school for people without qualifications with amazing creative talent
Us Programme 
A network of women helping young females from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their goals
Creative Mentor Network 
A charity connecting young people from diverse backgrounds with professionals in the creative industry
Brixton Finishing School
A free 12-week digital accelerator that helps young people from underrepresented backgrounds

Whilst there is no quick fix to the problem of socio-economic diversity within the industry, this programme is an actionable step in the right direction – aiming to change the lives of the 50 trailblazers and create a ripple effect. 
Thank you to all the companies and organisations who worked with us on this project, we couldn’t have done it without your support.
The Dots and Google are already planning to scale and grow the Fast Track programme in 2020. Watch this space!

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