WE ARE ON A MISSION

EPIC is passionate about helping young people to be fearless about their futures. We exist to support them in their growth as entrepreneurs who will contribute to a better, more inclusive society where individuals are valued, and communities grow and thrive cohesively.

THE PROGRAMME

We believe entrepreneurship can change lives.

EPIC Entrepreneurs was founded in 2022 to give disadvantaged young people the chance to realise their potential.

Through mentorship, training, and funding, we’ve helped more than 100 young visionaries create successful businesses—and we’re just getting started. EPIC Entrepreneurs is open to young people aged 16-25 living in the UK who have faced significant challenges or adversity in their lives. Whether it's growing up in a care setting, low socio-economic background, managing mental or physical health conditions, or living with a disability, we are here to provide the support you need to turn your business ideas into reality. If you've faced barriers to starting your journey as an entrepreneur, EPIC is designed to help you overcome them and unlock your potential.

EPIC Entrepreneurs are recruited via an interview panel where they present their business idea and share their aspirations. The entrepreneur then journeys through a structured, 3-month programme to gain the skills and knowledge they need to successfully start a business.

EPIC was founded by Jim and Ayyab Cockburn to support the growth of young, aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 16-25, with a particular emphasis on those from disadvantaged, displaced or care backgrounds.

Our structured, three-month programme is designed to equip young adults with the skills and knowledge to turn their dreams into reality and become their own bosses. If you are highly motivated, driven, and want to build your own company but need some assistance in doing so, then please reach out to one of our team members and share your idea.

THE PROGRAMME

EPIC IS ABOUT
FEARLESS FUTURES

EPIC's mission is to create a society where every individual feels valued, without fear, limitation, or prejudice, and therefore EPIC’s overarching mission is to provide opportunities to young people who have, in their life, experienced some sort of adversity, so that we can ensure we’re truly unlocking all human potential.

If you are highly motivated, driven, and want to build your own company but just need some assistance in doing so, then please reach out to one of our team members and share your idea.

THE PROGRAMME

Throughout EPIC’s three month programme you will have exclusive access to our team of business led professionals, all of whom have experience in business growth from various organisational backgrounds and contribute to a better tomorrow.

CALUM SAWFORD

Director

Calum is the Chief Operating Officer of the Martin James Foundation (MJF), Director of EPIC Entrepreneurs C.I.C, and Non-Executive Director for Key Assets New Zealand, Key Assets Australia, Key Assets Ontario, Key Assets Nova Scotia and Key Assets Newfoundland. Calum is passionate about the theory of change and business transformation and is always seeking innovative ways to empower to achieve long lasting change and development.

Calum has a range of experience delivering successful outcomes in both the public and private sectors, specialising in hybrid project management methodologies. Before joining MJF, Calum worked within the Martin James Network as Programme Director to support Network Programme Management and the successful delivery of all project-based workstreams. Prior to this, Calum worked across both private and public sectors as a Programme Management and Business Transformation consultant, successfully delivering in a range of settings from Children’s Social Services to privately owned SMEs with a constant focus on the realisation of tangible outcomes and measurable benefits for end-users & clients.

Calum has a Bachelor of Arts (1st class honours) in Ancient History from the University of Nottingham. He also has a PRINCE II Certificate in Project Management and is a Full Member of the Institute of Leadership.

Fun fact - Calum enjoys all manner of films, reading everything from Sci-Fi to Philosophy, and is a budding amateur Powerlifter, representing Team Britain in 2024, and servant to two fabulous tuxedo cats, Qu and Eu.

MARC PEARSON

Senior Programme Coordinator

Marc has built his career focused on communities and young people. Before joining EPIC, Marc was a Police Community Support Officer, engaging with young people to signpost them away from crime and anti-social behaviour. This has since led to a number of community engagement, youth development, community development roles across West Midlands within the housing sector, from ASB Officer, Housing Officer, Housing Support, and support roles focusing on homelessness and youth homelessness. His past roles have encompassed partnerships, support, enabling vulnerable communities, and awareness of diverse topics such as enterprise, employment, training, modern slavery, housing management.

Marc is passionate about engaging with the community and has also worked as a Community Engagement Officer for a modern slavery charity, raising awareness across the UK in faith communities, schools and beyond.

Marc is extremely skilled at engaging and enabling young people on their personal and professional development journey in any areas and aspirations, incorporating my role especially in the pre-start to start-up phases of businesses.

Fun fact - Marc took a 3 gear bike up a 17 KM dirty track in Flam Norwegian Fjords which is usually only cycled down - and the bike hire shop just laughed. Best two hours ever (especially downhill)

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HANNAH AL-KHALDI

Head Of Digital

Before working with MJF, Hannah worked within the Martin James Network and FosterTalk as a Marketing Manager while closely supporting EPIC.

As Head of Digital, she focuses on expanding MJF's digital impact while also supporting young entrepreneurs to realise their business potential within EPIC.

Hannah's background is as an entrepreneur, running her own company in the fitness industry since 2010 whilst also enjoying roles in Digital Marketing, Consulting and Business Development in the private sector.

She plays rugby both domestically and internationally and has been an advocate and campaigner for developing grassroots rugby opportunities, particularly for women in the Middle East and in local community rugby teams in the UK.

Fun fact - Hannah's proudest achievement is a close call between getting international rugby caps for Lebanon, winning the Championship final at Twickenham, and the birth of her two boys, Bash and Gabriel. Although she says she is retired from rugby, you can still find her sneaking onto the pitch at Cheltenham Tigers.

LISA FLOYD

Programme Coordinator

I am the programme Coordinator at EPIC, which involves meeting new entrepreneurs, enrolling them on the business programme and encouraging/supporting the young people to start and grow their own business.

Since the age of 16, I have run my own business in the music industry and have gained a wealth of experience in business management in education, an animal sanctuary and the motor trade.

As a qualified person-centred, therapeutic counsellor, I feel that this skill brings empathy and additional personal support to the young people at EPIC.

I have a Master's in Business Management, through Gloucester University and I am a Chartered Business Manager with the Chartered Manager Institute.

I feel blessed to be helping young entrepreneurs, who are driven by their own passions, to achieve their unique business goals and dreams, through the bespoke EPIC business programme. Every day is so fulfilling, empowering young people who have faced adversity, to build the businesses of tomorrow.

Fun fact - I have done a skydive for charity and I played in a brass band (not at the same time)!

ROBERT TALBOT

Corporate Partner Lead

My role at EPIC as Corporate Partner Lead involves working with businesses in both public and private sectors, that can support both financially and in kind, EPIC’s mission to help young people start up their own business.

With a background in building businesses myself, I take a keen interest in not only the relationship we have with our EPIC sponsors, mentors and partnerships, but also in each of our Entrepreneurs visions and aspirations.

Fun fact - I only have dark secrets and a murky past. There are no fun facts about me. One of those statements is a lie.