We’re excited to share that Blueberry has been shortlisted for the 2025 Talent Trailblazer Award by MarketingWeek. This nomination recognises our “From Classroom to Career” talent pipeline, a programme designed to open doors, build skills, and inspire the next generation of marketers and entrepreneurs.

Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities

Traditional recruitment often favours polished CVs and prior experience, leaving many talented young people overlooked, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. At Blueberry, we saw an opportunity to do things differently.

Instead of relying solely on applications, we introduced trial shifts, giving aspiring marketers the chance to demonstrate their curiosity, resilience, and communication skills in real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach creates genuine opportunities for those without existing networks and levels the playing field for emerging talent.

Learning by Doing, From Day One

Every new team member joining Blueberry, whether part-time or as an apprentice, starts their journey through our in-house digital onboarding platform. Developed by our team, it delivers bite-sized, practical modules built around real campaigns. Our apprentices and trainees gain skills in client communication, campaign management, and professional working life, while being supported by mentors and the Blueberry Academy. For those aiming even higher, we support formal qualifications (CIM, Prince2, ILM) and offer mentorship for entrepreneurial ambitions.

Real Results, Real Impact

From January 2024 to June 2025, 44 students joined Blueberry in part-time roles, placements, or apprenticeships. Many moved into full-time positions, while others leveraged the experience to launch careers in marketing, law, HR, and beyond. The majority were first-generation university students, many of whom credit Blueberry with giving them confidence, hands-on skills, and clarity about their career paths.

Our new team members have also made a tangible impact on the business. They’ve shaped campaigns, contributed fresh content ideas, and helped enhance client engagement. Two apprentices achieved regional and national recognition, and several peer mentors have emerged, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.

“This nomination shines a light on the effort we’ve made over the past 18 months to give students and apprentices the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. I’m especially proud of my colleagues at Blueberry, whose support and mentoring reflect the generous, people-first culture we’ve built. This recognition is as much about our newcomers’ achievements and contributions as it is about the spirit of the rest our team.” – Faresh Maisuria, Founder & Managing Director, Blueberry Marketing Solutions

Entrepreneurial Spirit at the Core

Blueberry is proud to foster an entrepreneurial mindset. Over the years, 24 past team members have gone on to start their own businesses – reflecting our belief that development isn’t just about the role at Blueberry, but about building skills and confidence for life. Our Managing Director, Faresh Maisuria, now gives back as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Leeds Beckett University, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and reinforcing the link between real-world learning and business success.

Why We’re Trailblazers

This nomination recognises Blueberry’s “grow your own” philosophy. Developing talent isn’t a side project – it’s at the heart of how we work. Our success is measured not just by retention, but by the long-term impact on our employees’ careers, whether they stay with Blueberry or go on to new ventures. Our comprehensive onboarding process, flexible roles, and sustained mentoring set a new standard for inclusive, practical talent development in marketing.

As we prepare for our next recruitment drive in September 2025, this nomination highlights what we value most: people-first development, entrepreneurial thinking, and helping young people bridge the gap from classroom to thriving careers.

Inspiring Blueberry’s ‘Grow Your Own’ Approach to Talent and Opportunity

Want to know how Blueberry Marketing Solutions was built, the lessons learned along the way, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Hear Managing Director Faresh Maisuria share his journey on the Leeds Business Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6SCIu1NXcA