Kurt Geiger champions young creatives with expansion of its career incubator

Despite recently being sold to Steve Madden, British footwear and accessories giant Kurt Geiger has today announced it's expanding its fully funded career incubator for young creatives - Business by Design Academy (BBD).

As the second cohort prepares to graduate, Kurt Geiger has reopened applications for London-based students, increasing the number of places by 50%.

This year, for the first time, the Academy will become available to young people across the UK, not just based in the capital. Stay tuned for when the digitalised programme applications open in the Autumn.

Launched by The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation in January 2024, BBD was created to break down barriers for young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, seeking careers in the creative industries.

The free seven-month AQA Unit Award-accredited programme is based at Kurt Geiger’s Farringdon headquarters. Here, the Academy provides weekly masterclasses and training sessions, one-to-one mentorship and more across design, buying, digital marketing and merchandising.

Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, said: "We launched Business by Design to give young people the ladders they need to climb over the walls that too often keep them out of this industry. Retail is the largest private sector employer in the UK, yet it’s often overlooked as a rewarding, creative career. We’re committed to providing access to the industry — especially for those who wouldn’t otherwise have a way in.

"Governments can’t do everything. We believe it’s our responsibility to support the next generation of creative talent."

Sophia Johnson, Head of Business by Design Academy, added: "We are equipping students with the core skills and confidence they need to succeed in the creative industry—whether they aspire to be designers, buyers, or other industry professionals. As we introduce the Nationwide Academy, we are bridging the gap between education and employment, providing an immersive and transformative experience for young people across the UK."

The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, which has raised over £2.3 million since its launch in 2022, funds Business by Design. This April, 33 students in the Class of 2025 (pictured) will celebrate their graduation from the Academy, following the success of the inaugural cohort in 2024, of which 30% are now in full-time roles at the retail giant.

This follows February's news that Kurt Geiger is to be sold by private equity owner Cinven for £289 million to fashion company Steve Madden. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

Cinven bought the shoes and handbag brand in 2015, and has significantly expanded its presence in the US in recent years.

The private equity group was first reported to be mulling a sale of the brand in 2023, following several years of fast sales growth. In December, Kurt Geiger announced record holiday trading results. North America is now Kurt Geiger’s fastest-growing and largest market. From 2018 until now, gross sales have grown 100-fold, from £2.5 million to £250 million.

On a global front, in December, Kurt Geiger delivered 17% growth in DTC - marking the most profitable month in the brand’s 62-year history. In terms of products, the brand’s bags continue to be its biggest selling point, with sales growing by 54%.