Business leaders urged to act to help break cycles of low social mobility - Business in the Community

Business leaders urged to act to help break cycles of low social mobility

Learn how business leaders convened in London to address barriers to social mobility and the role of business in creating opportunities.
October 8, 2026

Business leaders urged to act to help break cycles of low social mobility

Business in the Community (BITC) brought together senior business leaders together in London yesterday to see first-hand how poverty, education inequality, housing insecurity, and limited access to good work can restrict social mobility, and to explore how business can work with communities, government, and community organisations to unlock opportunity. The visit, hosted by Jean Renton, Chief Executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland, is part of BITC’s The King’s Seeing is Believing programme.[2]

This visit comes as data shows that around one in four children in the UK were living in relative low-income households in 2025.[3] In addition, by age 11, only just under half of disadvantaged pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared with seven in 10 other pupils.[4] Data also shows that children in low-income households are 4.6 months behind their peers in learning and development at the start of primary school, rising to 10.3 months by the end of primary school and 19.2 months by the end of secondary school.[5]

As part of the visit, which was hosted by Sodexo, representatives from businesses such as Atos, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, BDO, London School of Economics, KPMG and The Purpose Coalition saw first-hand the barriers limiting social mobility.

Delegates gained a deeper understanding of the need for a joined-up approach to improving social mobility, and the role businesses have in that from a number of Sodexo’s charity partners:

  • The Switch – a charity helping children and young people develop the skills, confidence, and aspirations needed to access careers through employability, career awareness, mentoring, volunteering, and work experience programmes.[6]
  • Oasis UK – a charity working to create inclusive communities where everyone can reach their full potential through high-quality education and healthcare for those in need.[7]
  • Trussell – a charity providing emergency food and practical support to people experiencing financial hardship and hunger.[8]
  • Change Please – a charity focusing on providing skills, confidence, income, and ongoing support to those experiencing homelessness to help them achieve long-term stability and independence. Through barista training academies, participants receive professional training, paid work opportunities, and a range of wraparound support services to address the barriers preventing them from securing long-term employment.[9]

The King’s Seeing is Believing programme was established by the then Prince of Wales in 1990. The programme, supported by Salesforce and Linklaters LLP, connects business leaders with communities by taking business leaders out into communities and inspiring them to come up with impactful solutions to the challenges they face. To date, over 25,000 business leaders have taken part in the King’s Seeing is Believing programme which has led to many initiatives being set up including Career Ready, Ban the Box, and mentoring circles in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jean Renton, Chief Executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland, said:

“At Sodexo, our ambition is to support people and strengthen places. Visits like this are a powerful reminder of the challenges many people face, but also of the determination, expertise and partnership making a real difference every day.

“Creating stronger communities means helping people access the foundations they need to thrive, whether that is food security, education, skills or meaningful employment. These issues are often deeply connected and addressing them requires joined-up solutions.

“The King’s Seeing is Believing programme brings these challenges to life in a way that no report or statistic can. Hearing first-hand from people who rely on vital support services creates greater understanding, strengthens our resolve to tackle inequality and helps us identify where we can have the greatest impact.

“By working together across business, charities, communities and government, we can break down barriers, create opportunities and build a more resilient future for everyone.

Ndidi Okezie OBE, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said:

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Too many people still face barriers shaped by where they grow up, the networks around them, and the pathways available into good work. If we are serious about improving social mobility, business must move beyond good intentions and act with greater focus, urgency, and collective ambition.

“BITC exists to help turn that ambition into action. Our role is to bring businesses together, connect them with communities and organisations closest to the issues, and create the conditions for practical, place-based change. By helping employers listen, learn, and collaborate, we can reduce duplication, scale what works, and open up clearer routes into skills, employment, and progression.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

For further information, please contact Polly Dacam, Senior Public Affairs and Media Officer, on 020 7566 6638.

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community (BITC) champions responsible business as essential for long term economic growth and resilience.

It is the UK’s leading responsible business network, working with companies of all sizes to tackle society’s most pressing challenges from climate change and place-based community regeneration to inequality, workplace wellbeing, and inclusive growth.

Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1982, BITC has over four decades of experience in engaging business and delivering measurable impact in both business and in communities through evidence-based interventions.

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