Stephen Browning and Finella Devitt were commissioned to develop the first 5-year business plan for Be United – a milestone document that formed a crucial part of the organisation’s successful bid for regular funding from Creative Scotland.
Be United secured Creative Scotland funding on the strength of a business plan that gave their application credibility, clarity, and confidence.
About Be United
Be United is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) that advocates for, nurtures, and champions Black people working in the performing arts, screen, and cultural events sectors in Scotland. It is one of the most distinctive and important voices in the Scottish cultural landscape.
Our approach
Developing a first business plan for a young, mission-led organisation requires a careful balance – articulating a compelling vision while grounding it in realistic financial modelling and operational planning. Working closely with the Be United team, we developed a plan that reflected their ambitions, demonstrated organisational sustainability, and met the requirements of a major public funder.
The plan covered:
- Organisational vision, mission, and strategic priorities
- Programme and activity planning over a 5-year period
- Financial modelling and income diversification strategy
- Governance and operational structure
- The case for Creative Scotland investment
“Thank you both so so much for all your help in getting us there with the business plan, we couldn’t have done it without you and your support.”
Emma Sithole
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Be United
For more about Be United’s work, visit be-united.org.uk.
