The EY Foundation marks 10 years since their launch. The EY Foundation is an independent charity focused on improving social mobility through access to paid employability skills programmes.
The campaign spotlights the overlooked potential of young people from low-income backgrounds, the campaign’s hero film follows hard-working young people and the unique skills they’ve gained. The film addresses head-on the benefits employers lose out on when overlooking underrepresented talent, while also tackling some of the stigmas surrounding Gen Z's attitudes to work.
Lynne Peabody, CEO, EY Foundation: “When the EY Foundation launched in 2014, we set out to change the fact that the circumstances beyond our control shouldn’t dictate our success in life. We have made big inroads by working with some of the most recognisable UK companies, but more needs to be done. As it stands, social mobility is reported to be at its lowest level in 50 years, which will impact the one in four young people who are eligible for free school meals. This campaign is a call to arms for more organisations to create better access to high quality work placement schemes so that every teenager, regardless of background, gets a chance to succeed.”
Rebecca Hirst, chief marketing and communications officer, EY UK: “This campaign isn’t just about encouraging organisations to give more young people professional opportunities, it’s about showing what they miss out on when they don’t: access to the best and brightest diverse talent. EY Foundation has already helped over 24,000 young people since it was created over 10 years ago and has the potential to do even more with a larger number of organisations on board.”
Jules Chalkley, chief ECD, Ogilvy UK: “This film tells such a powerful story and beautifully brings to life the stories of the teenagers who are the beating heart of The EY Foundation. It has been a real joy watching this project come to life and I look forward to seeing The EY Foundation work with more leading organisations to change even more lives.”