13th October 2020
For Immediate release
Business leaders team up to create a more ethnically diverse City
- Major companies create Corporate Advisory Board to support UK registered charity Urban Synergy
- The move will extend mentoring and career opportunities to help thousands of Black Minority Ethnic and disadvantaged young people reach their full potential
- This is in response to the Black Lives Matters movement’s call for a more just society
- Corporate Advisory Board members include Goldman Sachs, UK Power Networks, Dynamic Planner, EC1 Partners, DMGT and Refinitiv.
Urban Synergy today announced that prominent business leaders will be forming a Corporate Advisory Board to support and guide our mission to build a diverse work-ready talent pipeline of Black Minority Ethnic and disadvantaged young people.
UK registered charity, created in 2007, Urban Synergy is an award-winning early intervention mentoring charity that helps over 1,000 young people each year between 10-18 years of age reach their full potential, through outcome-focused mentoring programmes and inspirational seminars.
This diverse Corporate Advisory Board will enable the charity to grow successfully by bringing new expertise and experience as well as supporting sustainable fundraising, idea generation and corporate participation. Corporate Sponsors will also provide expertise, mentors and funding.
- Corporate Advisory Board members include: Goldman Sachs, UK Power Networks, Dynamic Planner, EC1 Partners, DMGT and Refinitiv.
- Corporate sponsors include: Citi, Morgan Stanley, Capgemini, The International business of Federated Hermes, Moody’s, Newable, PwC and RWS
The Advisory Board has no formal responsibility in terms of performance, finance or operation of the charity but will serve as advisors to the Board and Management of Urban Synergy, based on their extensive operational experience and key networks. They will be material supporters to Urban Synergy both financially and through mentorship and career openings for mentees.
As well as providing sustainable funding to the charity, the Corporate Advisory Board will share their expertise, including PR & marketing, technology systems, fundraising, and HR. They will develop career learning and pathways for the children served by Urban Synergy into employment through corporate insight days, job shadowing, internships, apprenticeships and other work experience.
Urban Synergy CEO, Leila Thomas, said: “I am really excited that these business leaders have chosen to commit their energy and resources, to creating a better future for thousands of Black Minority Ethnic and disadvantaged young people in London and beyond. Talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not. This support from business will help us to change that. Organisations have been trying to resolve the imbalance of opportunity for decades and we believe we have a blueprint that will drive change.”
Chair of the Urban Synergy Corporate Advisory Board, Refinitiv CEO, David Craig, said: “We owe it to all children, to level the playing field and create opportunities for everyone to thrive according to their abilities. The financial community will benefit enormously from more diversity; and I’m delighted at the range and depth of individuals joining this Board. I know we will make a difference.”
Basil Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks, a company which has joined the Urban Synergy Corporate Advisory Board, said: “Our support for Urban Synergy is another example of our determination to ensure UK Power Networks is a truly inclusive and diverse workplace. We are already working hard to achieve this, but we can always do more. All companies have a responsibility to ensure equal opportunities for all and my genuine belief is that a vibrant workforce, from diverse backgrounds, ensures a whole range of fresh ideas and perspectives emerge to reflect the community we serve.”
Through the creation of this Corporate Advisory Board we will help thousands of young people to write their own futures.
To get involved or seek more details, please contact:
Secretary to the Urban Synergy Corporate Advisory Board
Tel: +44 (0)7909 996315
Email: [email protected]
