4 November 2025 An authentic mission: The key to building long-term, sustainable partnerships
Jenni Anderson, Chief Executive of The Talent Foundry, outlines in her recent article for Communicate Magazine the recipe for a long-term, sustainable partnership between charities and industry. She underlines clarity and authenticity as being central components to a successful shared mission – one focused on social mobility.
The Talent Foundry bridges the gap between under-served students and employers by designing and facilitating bespoke employability programmes that ignite ambition and unlock opportunity. Their collaboration with the rail sector - working with Network Rail, RSSB and others - has been nationally recognised, involving workshops that offer insight, mentorship and workplace exposure.
Alignment of purpose is the bedrock of effective collaborations: when both sides prioritise young people’s development, the relationship goes beyond ticking a box. Success also depends on mutual understanding, independent evaluation, and respect for each partner’s goals and contributions. The Talent Foundry brings education expertise, while industry provides specialised knowledge and networks. Flexibility remains crucial: programmes evolve through feedback, adapting to diverse contexts.
Ultimately, effective partnerships benefit all stakeholders. Students gain confidence, employability skills and a clearer sense of future careers, teachers can offer better career guidance, volunteers connect meaningfully with communities, and employers see genuine impact and can build local talent pipelines. Uniting around a shared goal in an effective manner is a powerful lever for social change and unlocking potential.
Watch a short clip from the Corporate Engagement Awards here.