The Talent Arc: Our Story
The Talent Arc was founded to take two long-standing, industry-changing initiatives – No Turning Back and Back2Business – into a new era.
More than a decade ago, No Turning Back 2020 was created by Amanda Fone and Adrian Walcott to challenge bias in recruitment and ensure diverse shortlists across the marketing and communications industry.
Around the same time, Back2Business was launched by Amanda Fone and Liz Nottingham to help professionals – particularly women and men returning from career breaks – rebuild confidence, update their skills, and reconnect with employers ready to value their experience.
Today, both programmes have evolved under the new umbrella of The Talent Arc CIC, led by Emma McDowell and Sarah Bishop, former returners who know first-hand the value of opportunity and support. Having rebuilt our own careers, we’re passionate about helping others do the same.
Meet The Talent Arc Team
At the heart of The Talent Arc are two leaders who have lived the journeys they now help others navigate.
Sarah leads The Talent Arc with a focus on strategic growth, partnerships, and impact. Having studied Business & Marketing followed by a 20 year career before returning from her career break, she feels passionately that marketing should be a career for all, and properly represented.
Emma brings creative energy and understanding of the communications industry to The Talent Arc. Having taken a career break to raise a family, she understands the obstacles to returning to work after a break. Her mission is to amplify our programmes and be a voice for underrepresented talent.
Sarah Bishop
The Talent Arc – CEO
Emma McDowell
The Talent Arc – Head of Marketing
Our advisory Board
Shartyn Williams
Executive Client Director – Group SJR
Audrey Mpunzwana
Communication Consultant and Founder – BusiConsults.
Jason Jung
Partnerships – Netflix
Subodh Tailor
Senior Policy Advisor – MedTech
Clint Hayashi
Global Head of Communications – Aion Bank
Adomaa Mansoh
B Corp & Senior Operations support
Thomas Zaqueu
People Special Projects Manager – Channel 4
Madeleine Haley
Senior Account Manager
Davina Linauskas
Independent Marketing & Communications Specialist
Naomi Smith
Web and Social Media – Rolls-Royce
Our Founders
The Talent Arc builds on two pioneering initiatives – NoTurningBack2020 and Back2Business – established by three visionary leaders in talent, inclusion, and leadership.
Amanda Fone
Global Managing Partner PartnerWise Group & Co Founder B2B & NoTurningBack2020
Adrian St Clair Walcott
Co-founder NoTurningBack2020 and CEO Brands with Values
Liz Nottingham
Founder – Human Leadership Studio
We’re Taking Our Social Change Programmes To The Next Level.
We exist to create pathways into work for underrepresented and returning talent – helping individuals find their confidence, purpose and professional place, while supporting employers to become truly inclusive workplaces.
Through mentorship, education and collaboration, we bring together people and businesses who share a belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to thrive.
We’re building a community where opportunity and inclusion go hand in hand – where individuals from all backgrounds can see themselves represented and valued in the marketing, media and communications industries.
The Talent Arc is more than a name, it’s a community. We want to connect potential with pathways, people and employers with exceptional talent.
The Talent Arc Statistics
Our Employer Partners
We are hugely grateful to our current employer partners for their continued support, belief and commitment. Their collaboration enables us to open doors, create opportunities, and champion diverse talent – making a genuine, long-lasting impact.
Other Employer partners
