How women’s sport entrepreneur Tina Taylor aims to grow her business after winning Havas backing in Dragons' Den-style contest

The founder of a Greater Manchester talent agency is aiming to sign up more big stars after winning a “Dragons' Den-style” business competition judged by an Apprentice winner.

Christina (Tina) Taylor, founder of Aim Sky High Talent, a talent agency based in Trafford, was named winner of the Havas Boost contest that aimed to boost the Northern economy by aiding businesses in Manchester. The Havas Media Network project aimed to honour a meaningful business that gave back to underprivileged communities – and picked Tina as its winner after two months and 50 applications.

Tina – whose clients include England goalkeeper Mary Earps – is set to receive a “Boost package” of £150K and mentorship from the media group as she continues her ambitious plans to grow the company.

The winner was chosen from six finalists by a board of judges including 2018 Apprentice winner, Sian Gabbidon. Sian said: “Being a judge was amazing,” adding that “the energy was incredible” and “meeting so many talented and passionate business owners highlighted the incredible potential across the entrepreneurial community in the North.”

Recognising many entrepreneurs for “building their businesses from nothing,” the Sian Marie Fashion owner said: “Choosing a winner was no easy task, but knowing this funding will transform not just their business but also the lives of those their business impacts make it all worthwhile. It’s incredibly rewarding to know this opportunity will be life-changing for them and their future.”

Christina – known as Tina – attended the Havas Boost event in November during Manchester’s Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations after seeing a colourful billboard advertising the scheme.

She says she had entered business competitions before but has “genuinely not seen anything like” Havas Boost and “really tried so hard”.

She added: “Our business and agency can be very difficult to understand. I feel that Havas understood the business model and opportunity well.

“I think that my business is, for some, three or four years too early in women's sport, but I think Havas understands the opportunity within women's sport because of the nature of the work Havas do.

“The process was not complicated. The pitch process was fun and it was nice to have 15 minutes to explain what you do because often people say pitches should be 3-5 minutes and I don't feel you get to explain the depth of what you do in that time.”

Tina’s clients include footballer Gabby George from Manchester, who returned to the Lionesses squad last year following a major ACL injury. Aim Sky High Talent’s representation spans across TV, social media, modelling, and sports.

Tina has a keen ambition to represent more female sports stars and says she admires athletes such as Ilona Maher, Olympic Team USA-Rugby star and American Tiktok sensation, who she is set to join England’s Bristol Bears for three months.

With her Bangladeshi and Caribbean heritage, Tina especially focuses on providing representation and opportunity to those of underprivileged and diverse backgrounds who may struggle to enter media or sports industries. She is now looking to sign athletes in