Dan Makaveli - University of Lincoln

Dan Makaveli
Media Savvy Training Solutions
University of Sunderland
www.mediasavvytrainingsolutions.com
Dan Makaveli and his business partner Mark McKenna established Media Savvy
Training Solutions in 2010. Both graduates of the University of Sunderland, Dan and
Mark were continuing to study programme modules in areas such as animation while
working to start up their business.
Media Savvy promotes education, creativity and employability through digital arts
and media. They deliver accredited workshops in areas such as photography and
digital imaging, visual effects and computer games development. More recently, Dan
and Mark have created new courses to help learners develop functional skills whilst
engaging in creative practices, which are accredited by the Open College Network.
Benefit claimant rates among 18-24 year olds in the north east of England are
among the highest in the country. Media Savvy’s approach is to engage young
people through arts and media, and in doing so, the company works with schools
and groups that other providers find ‘hard to reach’. In a recent pilot, the company
worked with a group of four offenders. Over a period of five weeks, the group took
part in 10 hours of training, and all participants completed the course, a retention
rate that astounded the project’s commissioners. A second similar project is planned
soon.
“Ultimately the aim of our work is to improve the lives and opportunities that our
learners have.” - Dan Makaveli
Dan received a Catalyst (start up) award through UnLtd and Hefce to help purchase
capital equipment, such as laptops, that was needed to get the business going.
Since then, the company has incorporated as a Community Interest Company and
employs Dan and Mark full-time.
The University of Sunderland has helped to incubate the business, offering office
space at an affordable rent and access to business support. Being based in the
university’s media centre also helps to give credibility with clients. The relationship
with the university has potential to develop further, with an opportunity arising to
work in partnership to deliver participatory arts courses funded by the Paul Hamlyn
Foundation.
Media Savvy won two major regional business awards in 2011, and started 2012 by
winning a Lloyds TSB Enterprise Award for Best New Start Up in Yorkshire and the
North East. Dan’s current priority is to get the new employability courses running,
and he is exploring partnerships to take this forward in the company’s home city of
Sunderland. In the longer term, Dan and Mark plan to take Media Savvy’s award
winning approach to other parts of the country.