A PROGRAMME to develop the future leaders of the creative industry is returning for a second year.

The Accidental Leader scheme, run by Swedish company Hyper Island, aims to help executives at small digital and creative companies develop their leadership skills.

Participants last year included Jonathan Holmes, managing creative director at Liverpool-based design agency Milky Tea.

Funding from Northwest Vision and Media means companies will pay £1,000 for the training, which normally costs £5,000.

Lynn Kelly, head of skills at Northwest Vision and Media, said: “Executives in the creative industry face a number of challenges, from implanting new interactive media to leadership and creating efficiency within their organisations. This programme has been designed to help them prepare for these challenges.

“The feedback from last year’s course was really positive, and highlights the demand for programmes like this.

“We have created an extra five places, allowing us to cater for 25 accidental leaders in 2010.”