The Quilter Foundation, a charity founded by wealth management firm Quilter, has embarked on a three-year partnership with social mobility charity The Brokerage. The initiative aims to break down barriers and promote workforce diversity across the UK.
With an impressive track record in its field, The Brokerage has supported over 84,000 young individuals from working-class and ethnic minority backgrounds in achieving their career aspirations. The charity was selected as a Quilter Foundation employment partner following a consultation process involving Quilter colleagues and an interview panel.
Under the partnership, funding will be provided to expand a five-stage ‘Pathway to the City’ strategy. This program aims to equip 4,020 youths aged 16-25 with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to gain valuable work experience and ultimately secure a job within their preferred industry.
Moreover, Quilter colleagues will participate in a series of volunteering opportunities with The Brokerage, which includes careers panels, masterclasses, and micro-mentoring.
The partnership between the Quilter Foundation and The Brokerage seeks to address the imbalance in professional opportunities between individuals from privileged backgrounds and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Currently, individuals from privileged backgrounds are 60% more likely to secure a professional role within the industry.
Penny Cole, Quilter Foundation trustee and human resources director at Quilter, expressed her pride in the partnership: “Together, we will work to drive positive change within the workplace to allow ambitious young people from disadvantaged backgrounds equal access to opportunities to help them make their first step into a professional career.”
Sarah Devonport, CEO of The Brokerage, shared similar sentiments, expressing excitement about the partnership and the opportunity to leverage Quilter Foundation’s resources to address barriers and build careers in the financial services and professional services sectors for talented young people from working-class backgrounds.
