Back2Business Career Accelerator Programme Opens for 2026

The Back2Business Career Accelerator Programme has opened for its thirteenth year.

The programme’s mission is to open doors for experienced professionals ready to re-enter the industry after a caring career break, through a free six-day reorientation bootcamp. Following a successful collaboration in 2025, Havas Media Network UK returns as headline partner.

Back2Business remains the UK’s only initiative dedicated exclusively to returners in marketing, digital, PR and sports marketing. Designed to upskill, retrain and rebuild confidence, the programme helps participants reconnect with the latest industry trends while developing practical skills for job applications, personal branding, interviews and salary negotiations. Each cohort also takes part in a networking event that connects delegates directly with employers seeking to hire returners.

Over the last ten years, 85% of participants returned to work within nine months of completing the programme. In 2025, 39% of the delegates came from underrepresented backgrounds, with two men joining the cohort for the first time. The networking event brought together over 40 companies, including senior leaders from across the marketing and communications industry. Opportunities were created with organisations including HMN UK, Teneo, Rail Delivery Group, West Ham United Football Club, VCCP and several charities offering living wage internships.

As part of last year’s partnership, Havas Media Network UK offered one-to-one mentoring from its HR team, supported senior-level interview opportunities, and introduced a returnship scheme that welcomed four participants. One participant also undertook a six-month media apprenticeship and has now been offered a full-time role with Havas. Havas Media Network plans to build on these initiatives in 2026 with a new buddy scheme connecting employees with returners, shadow days, and other long-term initiatives to ensure continual support.

Back2Business will now be run by a Community Interest Company, The Talent Arc. The Talent Arc, officially launched today, has been set up to grow and improve the programme and ensure all funding is reinvested to support future cohorts and maintain its not-for-profit purpose.

​Sarah Bishop, co-founder, The Talent Arc, said, “When Back2Business was created, the goal was to make career breaks a bridge, not a barrier. Returners are an often undervalued pool of talent, bringing fresh perspective and depth of experience that the industry needs. It’s been fantastic to work with Havas Media Network to champion multi generational teams and encourage knowledge sharing between professionals at different career stages. We’re excited to see even more talented returners thrive in 2026.”

Ewen MacPherson, group chief people officer, Havas UK, said, “Our collaboration with Back2Business furthers our inclusion ambitions, challenging narrow assumptions about what a career journey should look like – multi-generational teams unlock new ways of thinking and working together that shouldn’t be ignored. The six-day bootcamp is just the beginning - we’re committed to building long-term pathways for talented people to re-enter the industry.”

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open. Candidates can apply by 23rd January here.