One to watch: The Key Club London

Rising star Nicola Hain
What's so special? She's given up a high-flying role within a big firm to start her own business and is already making an impact

Ernst & Young's Accelerated Leadership Programme, which develops 28 employees a year from across the organisation for leadership roles, may have done too well with Nicola Hain. Why? Because she's decided to leave the firm to start her own business, The Key Club London, a members' networking club that formerly launches next month (E&Y will sponsor the event).

Hain spotted a gap in what less imaginative folk might have described as a saturated market. What's different about The Key Club, she explains, is that it brings fast-rising stars within corporate organisations (the "intrapreneurs") together with established young entrepreneurs.

"There isn't a forum where young entrepreneurs can meet future leaders of corporate organisations and share knowledge, experience and expertise," she says. "For our age demographic, it's about networking with the right people and meeting the best talent in a targeted way."

Additionally, she's reaching out to more experienced directors through the Business Friend programme, a mentoring scheme she's pioneering so that directors can "leave a legacy outside their own organisation".

She's convinced Richard Harpin, chief executive and founder of HomeServe to come on board as her mentor and highlights Rolls-Royce, Lovells LLP, Citigroup, JP Morgan, and BT as other organisations involved. She expects 1,000 members in her first year and intends to launch in New York, Dubai, Shanghai and Hong Kong next year.

"I will always remain close to Ernst & Young, but I'm fully committed to being an entrepreneur now," she says. "Both my parents are in business—it is in my blood."