Havas Media Network Selects Winner of Havas Boost £150K Funding

Following a final pitch day in Manchester, where six inspiring entrepreneurs presented their business proposals to the Havas Boost panel (including star talent Sian Gabbidon, winner of The Apprentice 2018), Havas Media Network announces Christina (Tina Rehana) Taylor as the winner of Havas Boost Business. Tina is the founder of Aim Sky High (ASH) Talent, a talent agency dedicated to helping individuals in media and sports build their personal brands, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented communities - particularly ethnic minorities and women - as well as people with purpose. 

Aim Sky High Talent addresses significant representation gaps in media and sports, with a special emphasis on empowering women’s sports. As a mixed Bangladeshi and Black female founder, Tina has built an agency that leverages strong community ties to scout and support talent from underrepresented backgrounds. Spanning expertise in TV, digital influencers, modelling, sports, and dance representation, ASH opens doors for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to entry in these highly competitive fields. 

While already established and making an impact - with high-profile clients including England No.1 Mary Earps and contributions to projects such as Stormzy’s Wireless Festival performance - ASH is still a relatively small-scale operation. With the support of Havas Media Network, Tina will now have the tools and resources to grow her business significantly. Through a £150K growth package - comprising cash and media services - Havas Media Network will harness its expertise, particularly through Havas Play and its influencer and talent division, to elevate Aim Sky High Talent, while Tina’s agency does the same for its clients. 

Tina’s vision aligns seamlessly with the purpose of Havas Boost and Havas Media Network’s mission to act as a force for good within and outside the media industry. This year, Havas Boost moved to Manchester, led by Havas Media Manchester, to be closer to those facing barriers to entry/growth. This partnership promises to deliver a profound impact, built on a shared commitment to promoting social mobility, inclusion, and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. 

Christina Taylor, Aim Sky High, said, “Winning this competition is exactly what we needed at this time. Partnering with an agency like Havas Media Network will provide us with the expertise and industry connections essential for our growth. We've come this far on our own, but I’m confident this collaboration will elevate us to new heights, enabling us to continue driving meaningful change in the industry." 

Nick Wright, chief growth officer and programme founder, Havas Media Network, said, “Watching the passion and innovation of the entrepreneurs at the final pitch day was truly inspiring. Tina and Aim Sky High Talent stood out for embodying the same values we cherish at Havas Media Network - social mobility, inclusion, and a relentless drive to create positive change. We are thrilled to support Tina in scaling her business and amplifying the impact she has already made. The synergy between Aim Sky High Talent and our capabilities, particularly through Havas Play’s influencer network, will help supercharge the agency's reach, enabling Tina to empower even more underrepresented voices across media and sports." 

Sian Gabbidon, panellist and winner of The Apprentice 2018, said, “Meeting so many talented and passionate business owners highlighted the incredible potential across the entrepreneurial community in the North. The energy on the day was incredible - so many driven and ambitious entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, with many building their businesses from nothing. Choosing a winner was no easy task, but knowing this funding will transform not just their business but also the lives of those their business impacts make it all worthwhile.”