This years Fast Forward 15 graduation and inauguration celebration took place on 9 May at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, with the ceremony taking place in the grand ballroom and the reception and after party hosted in the intimate setting of The Library.
The celebration honoured the achievements of the outgoing 2024/25 mentees and warmly welcomed the incoming cohort, aiming to inspire and motivate them for the journey ahead.
The event theme, “Be the Author of Your Own Success,” was centred around storytelling, reflecting the personal and professional growth of each mentee.
Working in groups, the graduating mentees were tasked with designing creative presentations to reflect on their year, with their sessions including formats such as “Rewrite the Script” where they reimagined key moments from their mentorship experience and a playful yet insightful “Deal or No Deal”-style session that explored the choices and challenges they faced.
Additionally, mentees hosted creative panel discussions, offering personal reflections and professional insights in a format that both entertained and inspired.
Founder of FF15, Fay Shape said: “The event’s theme – “Be the Author of Your Own Success” – was born organically during a site visit with my team at Nuff Said Events and Zoe Hill of Premier Admin Services. As we were shown the beautiful Library event space at the Hyatt Regency, inspiration struck.”
She added: “I immediately knew I wanted the mentees to have the opportunity to share their personal stories in a way that felt intimate, meaningful, and empowering. The concept flowed naturally from last year’s theme, “Journeys,” evolving the narrative and inviting each mentee to take ownership of their next chapter.”
The keynote speaker for the event, was member of the King’s Body Guard, Jag Khangura who delivered an inspiring and commanding address on stage with Mike Ford.
FF15 also launched its new programme, University Challenge, with the winning team, “Bark in the Park” being announced at the event.
Held as an afternoon affair, the event featured afternoon tea, champagne and exquisitely themed tables.
Outgoing mentees received personalised boxes, each containing a book specially selected by Sharpe.
Additional details included handcrafted newspaper name cards, bookmark gifts, floral arrangements curated by Fay, and bespoke table plans and centrepieces, all collaboratively designed by Sharpe and Weekend in the Country.
Sharpe said: “This programme is truly a passion project. It’s not about financial gain — it’s about giving back, making a difference, and helping shape the future of our industry. Everything my team and I do is driven by purpose and built on genuine intention.”
She added: “Our goal is simple: to support, uplift, and empower the women in our industry to achieve their goals and realise their dreams. Knowing that this work inspires and creates lasting impact makes every effort more than worthwhile.”
The event was supported by Hyatt, Creative Technologies, Top Banana Video work, Off Limits, Just Talent, Weekend in the Country, Nuff Said Events and Premier Admin Service.
Speaking on the outgoing and incoming mentees Sharpe said: “This year’s mentees have been an absolute joy to work with. Throughout the programme, they’ve not only grown professionally but have also built lasting friendships and supportive networks that I’m confident will extend far beyond their time in the programme. I truly hope many of them will return in the future as mentors and become part of our growing alumni community.”
She added: “To our new cohort: as I always say, you get out what you put in. I encourage each of you to fully immerse yourselves in the experience, take every opportunity, and support one another. The journey ahead is what you make of it – and it has the potential to be transformative.”
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