My Story

Hi.

I’m Sam Hawkins (s h )

I wrote my first grant application in 2006. A £2,500 bid for a one-man-band festival.

I started in live music in 2000, working in Glasgow and London before co-founding London Word Festival (2008–2012). The festival won a Paul Hamlyn Breakthrough Award and gave me a crash course in forecasting, evaluation, and multi-funder project management.

From 2011, I began advising and bid-writing for clients. Moving to Brighton in 2012, I spent five years running vocational courses for 16–24-year-olds, including the first under-20s-run Brighton Fringe venue. Managing European Social Fund projects sharpened my skills in statutory funding, and tight budgets taught me the power of a well-timed crowdfunder.

COVID-19 was a turning point. I provided rapid grant reviews and bespoke support to at-risk organisations, working with trade bodies like Music Venues Trust and Association of Independent Festivals. The crisis reinforced my approach: detailed, bespoke, flexible funding support.

I’ve a particular interest in growth and business development grant work. I’ve worked for statutory funders, managing a £750k European Regional Development Fund helping small businesses get growth funding.

I’ve led a London Borough of Culture bid, securing £200k in funding and £300k+ in match investment.

All of this led to Hush. Putting my knowledge, experience and analytical approach to work to help innovative businesses and charities secure funding easily so they can focus on what they do best.

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