Grosvenor, the Westminster Foundation and The Brokerage join forces to tackle the lack of socio-economic diversity in the property sector

Grosvenor, the Westminster Foundation and The Brokerage join forces to tackle the lack of socio-economic diversity in the property sector The Brokerage is proud to announce a new partnership with Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation to improve the employability skills of 500 young people in Westminster (age 17-25) from lower socio-economic backgrounds by delivering the Next Gen Talent Programme over five years (2026-2031).

This programme is being delivered as part of Grosvenor’s Positive Futures, a five-year programme by Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation to provide support, skills, and meaningful work opportunities to over 3,000 people in Westminster by 2030. Positive Futures represents a collaborative approach: aligning philanthropic funding with the reach of Grosvenor’s customers, supply chain, spaces and networks to expand meaningful work opportunities.

Opening doors to property careers in Westminster

The property industry shapes the streets we walk, the offices we work in and the homes we live in, yet it remains largely invisible to many young people. Careers in property go far beyond traditional perceptions. Opportunities span development, asset management, planning and surveying, property management as well as sustainability, project management, finance, marketing, and community engagement. Westminster hosts one of the highest concentrations of property companies anywhere in the UK, yet many young people in the borough have little visibility or access to that industry on their doorstep. The Next Gen Talent Programme is designed to close that gap,  mobilising sector networks and opening access to real workplaces, to ensure that local young people can see and access professional futures within their own borough.

The programme will provide:

• Structured employability and career-readiness workshops.

• Direct employer engagement and sector insight.

• Mentoring and confidence-building support.

• Career coaching.

• Pathways into paid internships and entry-level roles from Grosvenor and other property companies.

As part of Positive Futures - we will bring deeper industry insight and employer connections into The Brokerage network.

Deepening inclusion in one of the UK’s most diverse boroughs

Despite its global reputation for prosperity, Westminster is home to stark inequalities. Over 42% of residents live in poverty after housing costs, and child poverty affects more than a third of children in the borough. Life expectancy gaps between the most and least deprived areas are among the widest in England.

Positive Futures has been created in direct response to these challenges - combining philanthropic investment with business action to widen access to opportunity. Alongside its lead charity partner, Catch22, The Brokerage will expand access to structured, career-focused support for young people facing barriers to employment. Tom Slatter, Interim CEO of The Brokerage, said:

“For over 30 years, The Brokerage has worked to ensure that background does not determine destiny. This partnership enables us to deepen that commitment in Westminster - providing practical skills, direct employer connections and, crucially, belief in what is possible. When young people can see a pathway and have someone walking alongside them, futures change. We are grateful to Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation for investing in long-term, place-based opportunity.”

Jo Banfield, Executive Director of Human Resources, said:

"Careers in property help shape the places where people live, work and spend their time, yet for many young people the industry can be unknown or feel distant and difficult to access. Through Positive Futures, we want to change that by opening doors, building skills and creating clearer pathways into the sector for young people in Westminster. Our ambition is to support and engage at least 3,000 local people by 2030, helping more young residents see a future for themselves in the industry.

"Westminster is an extraordinary place, but for all its architectural beauty, green spaces and economic opportunity there are also communities that do not always share equally in those opportunities. By working with our partners, customers and supply chain, we can help remove barriers and connect more local young people with meaningful careers in property and the wider built environment."

Bel Crewe, Grants Strategy Manager, Westminster Foundation, added: 

“We are delighted to partner with The Brokerage to support 500 young people in Westminster over the next five years, providing them with essential skills and meaningful employer opportunities. Supporting life skills through our core theme of education and career readiness is central to our mission, as the transitions between primary and secondary school, and from education into work, play a defining role in shaping young people’s futures. The Brokerage’s proven track record in helping young people overcome barriers to professional careers makes them an outstanding delivery partner for this work. Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that more young people can confidently pursue their ambitions and access careers that reflect their full potential.”

If you're a young person and want to know more about the programme register your interest here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5213242 If you're a property company looking to get involved and support the programme email: partnerships@thebrokerage.org.uk

Looking ahead

Through the Next Gen Talent Career Programme, The Brokerage will continue to break down barriers to professional careers for young people who might otherwise be excluded from them.

If you are a young person living in Westminster and would like to find out more about joining the Next Gen Talent Career Programme, or are an employer interested in supporting the next generation of talent, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can ensure that ability and aspiration - not background - shape a young person’s future.