Global holding group WPP has teamed up with The One Club for Creativity to launch ONE School UK, a free programme designed to help get more black British creatives into the industry.

ONE School UK, which will be a virtual programme, is set to welcome its first intake in March of next year. Black creatives of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for one of the highly-prized 15 places on the 16-week course.

Run by Uncommon Experience Studio founding creative partner, Ez Blaine, ONE School forms part of WPP’s set of anti-racism commitments first made in 2020, with stated aims including advancing racial equality and better supporting black and ethnic minority groups.

“As a black creative from the UK, it’s very meaningful to me to return here and help bring new black talent into the creative industry,” Blaine said.

“Our choice of black lecturers and mentors helps close the gap and exposes students to creative leaders who they can relate to, allowing them to see a pathway for themselves into the industry.

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He continued: “This is about teaching students to stand out for their blackness, be 100% authentic to who they are and understand the value that brings.”

WPP UK president, Karen Blackett OBE added: “We’re proud to partner with an organisation that shares our commitment to taking meaningful action to support, build and grow the Black creative community.

“Not only is this partnership – spearheaded by the wonderful Dr Stacie Graham via WPP’s Racial Equity Programme – about positively impacting under-represented talent, it’s also about recognising that, without diversity, our industry simply won’t thrive.

Concluding, she said: “The ONE School has been described as one of the biggest social change programmes in the history of the US ad industry. I can’t wait to see what it can do here in the UK.”