Social mobility agenda to be championed by new business advisory group

Setting priorities for Britain’s crucial social mobility agenda will be the focus of a new business-led group established by Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former Education Secretary, Rt Hon Justine Greening. 

The formation of the Purpose Coalition Business Leadership Advisory Council saw leaders from the energy, transport, defence, hospitality, financial services, healthcare, retail, utility services, tech and communications sectors come together to: 

• Assess their current focus on social mobility and key challenges. 

• Consider next steps to meet the priorities of their individual businesses and sectors. 

• Shape future solutions in a changing political landscape. 

The Purpose Coalition Business Leadership Advisory Council is founded on the belief that businesses play a crucial role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, in driving social mobility and closing inequality gaps, alongside existing efforts on tackling climate change. By leveraging the collective expertise and influence of our members, we aim to inspire and mobilise a movement of responsible businesses and leaders committed to making a positive impact.  

The Purpose Coalition, has been working in partnership with Council members to assess their social impact and social mobility strategies and explore how they can go even further in driving change for their customers, their colleagues and within the communities they operate in. That involves developing action plans which set out their current best practice as well as containing tailored recommendations for having greater impact, allowing their progress to be measured transparently. 

The event also included contributions from Nick Forbes CBE, former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet and Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, setting out how the political landscape is likely to change in the coming months and following the general election. As Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, Nick is working as part of the Purpose Coalition to help us shape the role businesses and organisations can play as responsible parts of society committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for their customers, colleagues and communities. 

Participants welcomed engagement with the Coalition and with other like-minded businesses which has enabled them to share their best practice with a wider audience, learn from each other’s experiences and better understand some of the broader challenges business is facing. Many of the businesses cited similar challenges: the difficulties in recruiting skilled workers, exacerbated by an ageing workforce and a younger demographic who are unaware of the opportunities that some sectors can offer; problems with an outdated Apprenticeship Levy system and the benefits of alternative routes into work; mental health and resilience in the workforce and for their customers, encompassing issues like the menopause but extending to financial resilience and the potential in delivering a fair, just energy transition. All agreed that leadership on socioeconomic measurement and social value tracking is crucial in guiding any future social mobility agenda. 

Rt Hon Justine Greening said:

I’m delighted to bring together the Purpose Coalition Business Leadership Advisory Council. We have been working in partnership with the businesses making up the Council - because we all share a vision of a society which has equality of opportunity, where you can thrive and connect to opportunities, irrespective of background or circumstances. The potential and talent of people matters, and Britain can’t afford to waste any of it. This work has been inspiring to me, and it’s proof that businesses with opportunities are a huge driver of the change we need. 

That sense of partnership is behind the establishment of this Advisory Council. Council members will be taking forward specific work to tackle these challenges, using their significant experience and expertise. They can also help to shape the overall direction of the Purpose Coalition as we develop our thought leadership on what works and where the next key steps are to transform social mobility. We want to deliver system change, and these leaders are those that can really shape the future. 

2024 promises to be a year of change and, working with our Coalition members, we are determined as a group to make sure it’s change for a future that will be fairer for everyone.”

Chair of The Breaking Down Barriers Commission and Former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, Nick Forbes CBE said

In a time where the dialogue around social mobility and corporate responsibility is more critical than ever, the formation of the Purpose Coalition Business Leadership Advisory Council marks a seminal moment. It is uniquely positioned to drive tangible, impactful change. By uniting leaders across diverse sectors, we are not just acknowledging the challenges we face; we are committing to driving the solution.  

Our collective effort towards enhancing social mobility is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic investment in the future of our workforce, our communities, and our planet. This powerful new business group embodies our shared vision for a world where opportunity is not dictated by background but is accessible to all, based on merit and potential."

Attendees Included:  

• Andrew Pace, Director of HR, Legal and Company Secretary - UK Power Networks

• Angela Evans, Chief Customer Officer – Ramsay 

• Chris Norbury, Chief Executive Officer - E.ON U.K  

• Chris Stanton, Chief Financial Officer – Shoosmiths 

• Clive Higgins, Chair and CEO - Leonardo UK  

• Donna Murrell, Managing Director - Reed in Partnership  

• Hannah Thomson, Chief People Officer - Travelodge  

• Hisham Hamid, Social Mobility & Skills Partnerships Manager - bp

• James Pierson, General Counsel and Chief Purpose Officer - Virgin Money 

• Jill Shedden MBE - Chief People Officer - Centrica  

• Sarah Roche, Director of Talent - Royal Mail 

• Lisa Hannah, Director of Group Communications and Corporate Affairs - Aldermore Bank 

• Sean Duffy, CEO - Wise Group 

• Sean Haley, CEO - Sodexo UK&I 

• Steve White, Managing Director - Southeastern  

• Sandhya Sabapathy, Skills, Revitalisation & Employment Director - Thames Freeport 

• Stuart Pilcher, Head of Public Affairs - Pennon Group