ITV and Lloyds Banking Group are partnering with the not-for-profit organisation The Marketing Academy and becoming headline sponsors of their flagship Scholarship programme for 2014.

The Marketing Academy's free scholarship is a programme that brings together industry leaders, marketing gurus, entrepreneurs and marketing practitioners "to inspire, nurture and coach the best marketing talent from the UK to become future business leaders".

ITV and Lloyds Banking Group join The Marketing Academy's other key sponsors, Mondelez, Microsoft, British Gas, Nokia and Marketing Week who share the stated aim of developing leadership capability across marketing, advertising and communications.

Sherilyn Shackell, Founder of The Marketing Academy, commented: "ITV and Lloyds Banking Group are both organisations that place marketing at the heart of their businesses and The Marketing Academy is very fortunate to be able to benefit from the passion and dedication to marketing and talent that they both so obviously have. I'm absolutely delighted that they are partnering with us".

Rufus Radcliffe, Group Marketing Director of ITV, said: "The Marketing Academy offers phenomenal opportunities for the next generation of marketing stars to learn from some of the industry's most inspiring leaders. ITV is delighted to be a sponsor of an initiative that is going from strength to strength".

David Stewart, Head of Marketing Operations for Lloyds Banking Group, commented: "As part of our commitment to help Britain prosper, we've committed to help businesses and individuals succeed with expert mentoring and training. To help us further deliver upon our ambition, we're delighted to become a key sponsor for the Marketing Academy.

"We have always encouraged our colleagues to apply for the Academy. We really value and respect the part it plays in inspiring and developing the marketing leaders of tomorrow".