We are so pleased to see our Accelerated Progress Programme (APP) nominated as a finalist at the European Diversity Awards 2025.
The groundbreaking 12-month initiative, co-created with Progress Together and sponsored by Nationwide Building Society, empowers high-potential employees from low socio-economic backgrounds in financial services. The first graduation took place on the 17th September 2025.
Over the past year, 18 trailblazers from our pilot firms – Nationwide Building Society, Paragon Banking Group PLC, Yorkshire Building Society, and Coventry Building Society – embraced a transformative development journey:
- 8 high-impact leadership workshop
- Cross-firm mentorship pairings
- Industry secondments to broaden networks
- 3 cross-industry projects with real-world impact
But the real story lies in the people. APP has unlocked confidence, skills, and career momentum for participants who are now stepping into the future as leaders.
A heartfelt thank you to our participants, mentors, pilot firms, and our delivery partner TLC Lions. The graduation marks the end of this pilot, but the movement is only just beginning.
