It wasn’t until I volunteered to help the Graeme Robertson Trust a few years ago that I realised how tough things really are for design graduates these days. Graeme Robertson was an inspirational figure in Direct Marketing and a mentor to many of today’s leading lights in the industry. The Trust celebrates his memory by running an annual competition where shortlisted entrants are able to attend a “crit day” with Creative Directors from some of London’s leading agencies. The lucky winner enjoys a cash prize and a 3-month work placement to kickstart their career.

Meeting young graduates at my first crit day I found they were looking for unpaid placements rather than actual jobs. Most expected to wait around 18 months before being employed. A far cry from when I stepped out into the world with my portfolio 23 years ago and straight into work. Fast forward to the present day, with youth unemployment skyrocketing, and it’s tougher than ever before for young talent to find a sponsor.

So I’m delighted to have been appointed as a trustee of the Graeme Robertson Trust in November of this year. Together we’ve established a young ‘super’ agency of recent graduates to promote the charity and they are absolutely relishing the challenge. We’ve realigned the Trust to focus on helping students build better portfolios, so that all entrants will have their career prospects enhanced, and a new website will bring them closer to the industry by offering professional guidance and advice from recent graduates and industry veterans alike. We’re also looking for corporate sponsors to help us build a better future for Britain’s vital creative industry.

I’m bowled over to be a part of this and to be able to work with the trustees and fresh talent alike, with some new and some familiar faces joining us along the way.