Leo Quinn

In October 2013, Leo founded The 5% Club to encourage businesses to tackle two linked problems: the UK’s stubborn national skills shortage, and the resulting poverty trap for the unskilled. Fast forward 10 years, The 5% Club is now a registered charity, with over 800 members across all sectors which collectively employ over 1.6 million people in the UK, of which almost 95,000 are in “earn and learn” roles.

The Founder’s Pledge will see Leo personally provide £10,000 in total to support ten apprentices across Balfour Beatty and its supply chain partners: one Apprentice who is currently working at the company, and nine from its supply chain partners.

In addition, Balfour Beatty’s chosen apprentice will be personally mentored by Leo Quinn, with Balfour Beatty’s group chief executive asking the business leaders of the chosen supply chain partners to also mentor their nominated apprentice for one year.

With nearly half of apprentices in the UK failing to complete their training due to lack of wellbeing and financial support, the Founder’s Pledge looks to address this and provide the support young people need to successfully complete their training and embark on a long-term and fulfilling career.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty group chief executive and founder of The 5% Club, said: “Supporting our Apprentices – our future leaders – is critical, particularly in the challenging economic climate when many young people face an uncertain future.

“It has therefore never been more important for business leaders across the UK to step up, take charge and continue developing our talent. I hope that today’s Pledge will make each of us stop and think about how we can give something back, and secure the skills and capability required across every sector.”

In addition, Leo is asking the member CEOs of The 5% Club to make their own pledge, urging them to offer their mentoring skills to apprentices to offer the support they can.