11 November 2026 Ten years a trustee: Lord Newby on social mobility and opportunity
Lord Newby is no stranger to The Talent Foundry's (TTF) vision and work, having helped set up the charity as a grant giving body under the name The Transformation Trust in 2009. Since then, he has witnessed the growth and evolution of TTF into the organisation that he now supports as a trustee.
Today's economy presents unique challenges, with limited entry-level job prospects being a significant factor in the number of young people not in employment, further education or training. TTF has long had at its heart the goal of broadening horizons, although these days, our primary role is to act as a catalyst between industry and education, ensuring that young people are not held back by socio-economic factors.
Preparing young people for the world of work takes many forms. Raising awareness of opportunities, building aspirations and increasing self-confidence are just three key factors at play, and on the cusp of TTF's 18th birthday, we are celebrating some of the key people who have helped us along the way.
Young people have huge potential, but for some, they can never realise it because they are not exposed to the right kind of opportunities. That is where TTF steps in, opening their eyes to careers and pathways they might never have considered otherwise.
From Rothwell to Westminster
Having grown up in Rothwell, a mining village in West Yorkshire, Lord Newby knows all too well what it is like to lack access to opportunities. His career has taken him to the House of Lords, an incredible achievement, and he has long enjoyed giving back and supporting social mobility initiatives.
Getting young people to see what might be possible, to transform their thoughts about what they might do with their lives – how exciting is that?
For many young people, whether living in a rural village or a London borough, stepping beyond geographical and community boundaries can be daunting. A lack of resources and confidence can hinder dreams and possibilities.
Lord Newby recalls speaking at a school in Skipton where one pupil was amazed at the possibility of someone from Yorkshire being in the House of Lords. He has also met students living in Greenwich who have never been to central London.
Sometimes it's about breaking down mental barriers.
Being a trustee: a rewarding experience
For Lord Newby, being a trustee is about bringing relevant experience to the table, which can help make connections and advise on policy and practice. It is about adding value and supporting the long-term trajectory of TTF – whether in terms of financial goals or the broader existential situation.
Being a trustee is about providing a sounding board to the Chief Executive and other staff.
Hosting an annual event at the House of Lords to bring partners, TTF staff, alumni and supporters together offers a great opportunity to hear from young people who have achieved success in their careers as a result of TTF programmes and opportunities.
I find it rewarding to hear how TTF has played a pivotal role in these young people's careers, helping them to reach goals they wouldn't previously have even considered.
Lord Newby also enjoyed a recent visit to the Reds10 modular construction factory in East Yorkshire, which will host students for a 45-day work experience opportunity as part of our T Level pipeline programme with Driffield School and Sixth Form. It is a great example of connecting industry and education to bring local talent into sustainable careers in construction.
Making connections, building secure futures
The demand for what we do is constant. Making, and facilitating, connections, is TTF's specialism.
Connecting education and industry is a two-way flow, and TTF ensures that corporate partners can make a real difference. We help build talent pipelines and equip young people with essential workplace skills, providing the knowledge and facilitation expertise required for impactful initiatives, such as in Driffield, to flourish.
For schools, we streamline the process of working with employers. We support their careers education provision and help teachers show students what opportunities are available, and how to get there.
For young people, TTF has direct impact, providing access to things like apprenticeships, and indirect impact, broadening horizons and sparking ambition. Career satisfaction is key for long-term wellbeing and wider economic prosperity and is an important part of building a fairer future.
Supporting TTF along a pathway of sustainable growth is about impacting more young people's lives for the better. As a trustee, I get to transform lives, and that's the most important thing you could do.
It is thanks to the support of trustees like Lord Newby that we can continue to help so many young people to thrive. We look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the future as we progress through the second year of our Ambition 2030 strategy.