Sadly, Helen Stokes, MD of Major Players, recently passed away.

She was a true inspiration to everyone who knew her. And an incredible role model.
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As one of the leading UK women in business, she would have wanted to help more young talent on to the first rung of their career ladders.

In partnership with Creative Equals, a not-for-profit organisation working to change the ratio of adland's creative departments and D&AD, the awards organisation celebrating the best in creativity, Major Players has set up the Helen Stokes Intern Scholarship in her name.

Holly Hunter (pictured) is one of the first young female creatives to receive sponsored training, thanks to Major Players, the IPA and Creative Equals.

With funding, Creative Equals and D&AD plan to offer talented young women the chance to receive this scholarship. This will mean women from low socio-economic backgrounds will be able to intern in agencies in London with the chance of landing their first role.

Creative Equals believe real change comes with proactive action, mentoring, training, celebrating and championing female creatives through every day and year of their careers. D&AD are also committed to bringing in young talent from all walks of life into creative careers, celebrating the best the can become.

In London, just 14% of creative directors are women, which means 88% of young female creatives say they have no role models.

Why are female CDs important? 85% of consumer purchasing decisions are made by women.

With more work created through a female lens, Creative Equals believes we can create more effective work, better connect with this powerful force of consumers and become more culturally relevant as an industry.

Thank you for your support in helping more young female talent take their first steps, gain confidence and create careers that go all the way to the top.