Business Leaders Unite to Drive Social Mobility and Break Down Barriers
Business leaders from across key industries came together recently for the first meeting of 2025 of The Purpose Coalition’s Business Leadership Advisory Council, hosted at Barclays in London. This pivotal session, convened by The Purpose Coalition’s Chair, Rt Hon Justine Greening, and hosted by Kirstie Mackey OBE, Managing Director of Citizenship UK & Europe at Barclays, provided a platform for industry leaders to shape the direction of social mobility efforts during an evolving political landscape.
Against a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty, members focused on three core themes for 2025: Place, Health, and Partnerships. These will guide initiatives designed to create equitable opportunities for people across the UK, ensuring that businesses continue to be a driving force for positive social change.
The Business Leadership Advisory Council, brings together senior leaders from the energy, transport, defence, hospitality, financial services, health and social care, retail, utilities, technology, and communications sectors. These businesses are at the forefront of integrating social mobility strategies into their operations and driving meaningful change for their employees, customers, and communities.
During the session, Kirstie Mackey OBE shared key insights from the Barclays’ LifeSkills programme, which has empowered millions with essential employability, digital, and financial skills. Since its inception in 2013, it has become one of the UK’s leading initiatives helping to tackle employment barriers, particularly for young people and underserved communities. Last year alone, 1.9 million young people took part in the programme in the UK, gaining crucial skills to navigate the evolving job market.
LifeSkills has had a widespread impact, with over 94% of UK secondary schools having used the programme’s resources. Notably, 87% of students reported increased motivation, and 88% felt more positive about their future after engaging with LifeSkills content. Beyond schools, the programme has also supported adults and families, working with leading charity partners to provide financial inclusion services and direct employment support.
These insights provided a valuable foundation for discussions on best practices and strategies to expand the reach of similar initiatives across industries. Attendees explored ways to ensure that those facing the greatest barriers, whether due to socioeconomic status, regional disparities, or lack of access to financial education can receive the necessary support to secure sustainable employment and build a more stable future.
Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, said: “The Purpose Coalition Business Leadership Advisory Council is about harnessing the power of business to drive social mobility. We are at a crucial moment, where companies must lead the way in breaking down barriers to opportunity. The focus on Place, Health, and Partnerships will ensure we are tackling the biggest challenges head-on, creating a society where everyone can thrive regardless of their background.”
Kirstie Mackey OBE, Managing Director of Citizenship UK & Europe at Barclays added: “Levelling the playing field for people from lower socio-economic circumstances can only be tackled through collaboration and so we are delighted to join the Leadership Council. For over a decade, through Barclays LifeSkills, we have been helping to unlock skills development and employability opportunities for those facing the biggest barriers to employment. We look forward to working with The Purpose Coalition and the Council to continue to share best practice, knowledge and take collective action.
The Council also engaged in a forward-looking session on prioritising initiatives for the coming year, help members align their strategies with the broader socioeconomic context. Attendees welcomed the opportunity to collaborate across industries and share best practices to create sustainable impact.
The Council will reconvene later in the year to review progress and continue shaping the Purpose Coalition’s agenda for 2025. By working together, these leaders are helping to create a fairer society where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.
