The Purpose Coalition brings together leaders from across society to expand opportunity across the UK

Leaders from across government, business, education and the voluntary sector gathered at the House of Commons this week to reaffirm their shared commitment to creating opportunity, strengthening communities and improving social mobility across the UK. 

Hosted by Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition, the annual Summer Reception welcomed partners, parliamentarians and supporters to the Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons to celebrate the power of partnership in creating opportunity for people and communities across the country. 

Powered by Sodexo UK & Ireland, the reception marked the launch of Supporting People, Strengthening Places, Sodexo UK & Ireland's 2026 Social Mobility Impact Report, produced in partnership with The Purpose Coalition. 

The event comes at a critical moment for the UK's opportunity agenda. With an estimated 1,012,000 young people aged 16 to 24 currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), speakers highlighted the importance of employers, educators, policymakers and communities working together to create clearer pathways into skills, employment and long-term opportunity. 

Guests also heard from The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities, who reinforced the importance of partnership between government and employers in widening access to opportunity. 

Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith said:  “Every person in this country should have access to fantastic opportunities, no matter where they live.  The Purpose Coalition's fantastic work will unite employers, educators and communities together to deliver on that goal. To ensure every young person has the chance to get on in life, we have committed £2.5 billion to help almost one million young people into education, training and work.” 

A key focus of the afternoon was the continued growth of Purpose Lab, The Purpose Coalition's collaborative programme connecting education with industry. Now supporting hundreds of young people across partner universities, colleges and schools, Purpose Lab is helping students develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed, while giving employers direct insight into the aspirations, barriers and potential of the next generation. Through business led workshops, mentoring, policy development, innovation challenges and real-world engagement, Purpose Coalition employers are helping ensure the next generation has a genuine voice in designing the workplaces and careers of the future. 

Published as Sodexo celebrates its 60th anniversary, the report highlights how the organisation is embedding opportunity into every part of its business through investment in people, places, planet and partnerships, demonstrating that commercial success and positive social impact go hand in hand. 

Among the report's highlights are: 

• 35% increase in apprenticeship starts, with more than 700 apprentices currently developing skills across the business, apprenticeship levy utilisation increasing from 53% to 97%, and a commitment to create 100 Foundation Apprenticeships for young people.  

• More than £3 million in Apprenticeship Levy funding transferred to SMEs, charities and purpose led organisations, strengthening local skills pipelines, supporting fair chance employment and widening opportunity across local economies.  

• More than 300 employment opportunities created through the Starting Fresh programme, helping people with convictions access sustainable employment while encouraging employers across the UK to embrace fair chance recruitment.  

• Almost 11 million people supported through the Stop Hunger Foundation, working alongside more than 470 charity partners to tackle food insecurity and its root causes through funding, volunteering and long-term community partnerships.  

• National recognition for responsible business leadership, including being named Employer of the Year at the British Business Awards, a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, one of the UK's Top 75 Employers for Social Mobility, and achieving the highest Ambassador Charter Mark from the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group for its leadership in inclusive employment. 

Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition, said: "Social mobility has never been the responsibility of government alone. If we are serious about ensuring where someone starts in life does not determine where they finish, then employers, educators, charities and policymakers must work together with a shared sense of purpose.  Sodexo UK & Ireland has consistently demonstrated what that leadership looks like. Through its long standing commitment to creating opportunity for its colleagues, supply chain and the communities it serves, it continues to show how responsible business can deliver lasting social impact alongside commercial success. Its latest Social Mobility Impact Report is a powerful example of that commitment in action. 

That is exactly what The Purpose Coalition exists to do. We bring together organisations committed to creating opportunity, sharing what works and turning ambition into practical action that improves people's lives. With more than one million young people currently outside education, employment or training, the need for collective action has never been greater. Today's reception, alongside the launch of Sodexo's Social Mobility Impact Report, demonstrates the strength of that collaboration and the growing momentum behind organisations determined to strengthen people, support places and create opportunity across the UK." 

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

"At Sodexo, creating a better every day for everyone means creating opportunities for people to succeed. Together with our clients and partners, we're helping people into work, supporting them to develop new skills and build fulfilling careers, while strengthening the communities where we operate. 

"We're proud of the progress we've made, but we know there is still much more to do. This report shows what's possible when businesses choose to create opportunities for all as part of their strategy. When we invest in people, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Businesses become stronger, communities become more resilient and local economies grow. This leads to more jobs, more opportunities and a ripple effect that benefits the whole of society.” 

Paula Sherriff, Engagement Director at The Purpose Coalition, said: "Every organisation represented here understands that social mobility is both a moral and an economic imperative. The challenges facing young people and communities are too complex for any one organisation to solve in isolation. By bringing together business, education, Parliament and the voluntary sector, we are building partnerships that deliver practical change. Through initiatives like Purpose Lab and the wider work of the Coalition, we are demonstrating that lasting social impact is achieved through collaboration." 

The Purpose Coalition continues to work alongside leading employers, universities, colleges, local authorities and charities to identify where opportunity is strongest, where it can be improved and how organisations can work together to create better outcomes for people and places across the UK. 

Through research, impact reporting, Purpose Lab, policy development and cross sector collaboration, The Purpose Coalition is helping organisations turn ambition into action, creating opportunity, strengthening places and supporting inclusive economic growth across the UK.