Following the overwhelming success of last year’s pilot programme with fashion students, Beyond Corporate has expanded its collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University to provide essential legal support to additional disciplines within the university’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, including gaming and architecture.
Manchester Met’s Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) and Manchester Law School launched the pioneering “Legal for Fashion” initiative last year in partnership with Beyond Corporate. The programme was designed to equip final-year fashion students with vital legal knowledge to navigate the complexities of launching and protecting their businesses. In response to its popularity and demand, the programme is being extended to support students in gaming and architecture – two sectors where innovation, intellectual property and business acumen are crucial for success.
The programme continues to be delivered as a joint initiative between Manchester Met’s Manchester Law School and the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, with Beyond Corporate offering pro-bono legal support. The initiative provides law students with an opportunity to present critical legal insights to creative students, covering fundamental aspects of business law, intellectual property protection and commercial contracts. The sessions allow students to engage in interactive discussions, with breakout groups enabling direct conversations between creative students, law students and Beyond Corporate’s legal experts.
Barbara Shepherd (Reader in Fashion Business at MFI), Martin Harrison (Senior Lecturer at Manchester Law School), and James Corlett (Managing Partner, Beyond Corporate Law) remain at the forefront of this initiative, guiding students through the legal frameworks essential for building and safeguarding their future businesses. Molly Hackett, Solicitor at Beyond Corporate, has also been heavily involved in the programme and has been instrumental in its success. Molly, together with our young and dynamic team of lawyers bring a fresh perspective making it easier for students and fledging founders to connect, engage and openly discuss the challenges they are facing.
Beyond Corporate’s commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs was recognised when the firm was named Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the prestigious North West Dealmakers Awards in 2024. Judges praised Beyond Corporate for its groundbreaking collaboration with Manchester Met , highlighting the programme as the first of its kind and an outstanding example of how the legal sector can support emerging talent in creative industries.
Manchester boasts one of the largest student populations in Western Europe, with many graduates aspiring to launch their own businesses. This expanded programme will ensure students from fashion, gaming and architecture disciplines are equipped with the legal knowledge required to succeed in their respective industries. By bridging the gap between creativity and legal expertise, this initiative empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs with the tools to thrive in highly competitive markets.
Barbara Shepherd, Reader in Fashion Business at Manchester Met’s Manchester Fashion Institute, says: “This initiative has been transformational for our students. The fashion programme’s success demonstrated the real need for legal education tailored to creative industries. Expanding to gaming and architecture is a natural progression, as students in these fields face similar challenges in protecting their work and establishing their businesses. We’re thrilled to offer even more students this invaluable experience.”
Martin Harrison, Senior Law Lecturer at Manchester Met’s Manchester Law School, comments: “The pilot programme showcased the power of collaboration between faculties, and it’s exciting to see this expand across other creative sectors. Our law students gain real-world experience applying their knowledge, while creative students receive crucial legal insights that will serve them as they build their careers. This initiative is a testament to how education and industry can work together to create meaningful impact.”
James Corlett, Managing Partner of Beyond Corporate Law, adds: “The success of last year’s programme reaffirmed the importance of equipping young entrepreneurs with legal knowledge. Expanding our collaboration with Manchester Met to include gaming and architecture students means we can support even more aspiring professionals in protecting their innovations and navigating the legal landscape of their industries. At Beyond Corporate, we are passionate about fostering talent and ensuring that businesses have the guidance they need to succeed.”
As this initiative continues to evolve, Manchester Met and Beyond Corporate are committed to expanding the programme across more departments within the University, ensuring that all aspiring entrepreneurs at Manchester Met have the knowledge and resources necessary to build successful, legally sound businesses.
