Youngsters in London’s East End have been getting tips on leadership in commerce and industry from some of the country’s biggest names in public relations.

Around 60 were invited last night (Mon) to a ‘learning’ session at Glasgow Caledonian University’s postgraduate London campus at Spitalfields.

They were given advice from high-profile speakers including Tony Blair’s former chief speech writer Phil Collins, Starbucks’ former public affairs vice president Jim Godfrey and Total Politics magazine editor Shane Greer.

The event followed last month’s launch of the UpRising leadership mentoring scheme at the campus.

UpRising is a national organisation which runs an ‘Emerging Leaders’ network of some 300 young leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to social change in the community.

Its board of trustees is chaired by Bethnal Green & Bow MP Rushanara Ali, who said: “There has never been a great need to identify and nurture young talent wherever it is found.”

UpRising’s leadership training, mentoring and campaigning allows youngsters to gain leadership skills and give something back to the community.

Stephen Holt, head of the university’s London campus, said: “It is important the young business talent is not overlooked—the programme creates new avenues for the leaders of the future, to succeed in whatever they do.”

Those taking part in the course are selected by a rigorous assessment and undertake a one-year programme.