The Bridge Group

Graphic with the text: The Bridge Group is an independent research charity promoting socio-economic inclusion through evidence, insight and collaboration. Our vision is an education system and a labour market where background is no barrier.

Graphic with the text: Research questions we want to answer: How can we make work experience more useful? How socio-economically diverse are academic researchers? How effective are higher apprenticeships as a more accessible alternative to degrees? How to develop a globally applicable socio-economic background measurement framework? How does a four day working week impact impact people facing multiple and intersecting disadvantages?

Graphic with the text: Thank you! By supporting the Bridge Group, your investment directly drives the rigorous research and independent insights that transform policy and practice. Partner with us today and help turn evidence into opportunity.

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to celebrating all forms of generosity.

Please view the graphics to see five critical research questions your donations could help to answer 🙏 www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/support
#TenYearsOfBridgeGroup #SocioEconomicInclusion

Today we share our new report which celebrates #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup and our work as an independent research charity promoting #SocioEconomicInclusion through evidence, insight and collaboration:
www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/news/celebra...

Effective practice example #1: High socio-economic background data completion rates are supported by senior leaders actively endorsing data collection efforts

Effective practice example #2: Investment in early outreach with primary and secondary schools and engagement with a wider range of universities broadens the early talent pipeline

Effective practice example #3: Contextual recruitment, and other tools, are routinely used to assess candidates achievements and to enable firms to identify outperformers

Effective practice example #4: Supporting well-resourced and active social mobility networks helps integrate practice and policy.

New Bridge Group research identifies examples of eight leading law firms’ effective practices in improving socio-economic background inclusion. A public report gives more details: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/news/effecti...
#inclusion #BestPractice #SocialMobility

Graphic with Bridge Group logo and the text: New collaborative research identifies effective practices to enhance socio-economic background inclusion within the legal sector. While the sector has made substantial progress, the next challenge is to embed inclusion throughout the career lifecycle. A consortium of eight leading law firms commissioned the Bridge Group to conduct this collaborative research: A&O Shearman, Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, KPMG Law, Linklaters LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Slaughter and May.

NEW RESEARCH identifies effective practices in socio-economic #inclusion within the legal sector. The research was undertaken by the Bridge Group and eight leading law firms.
Get the research findings and examples of #BestPractice here: bit.ly/3Ln0XTt

New research out today from our Social Mobility Alliance friends @suttontrust.bsky.social

The research makes for sobering reading, and as the Sutton Trust says: “This report should be a wake-up call to policy makers and education leaders.”

Find out more below ⬇️

Picture of a man with the text: Join our board of trustees and support our work as an independent, research charity promoting socio-economic inclusion in the UK.

The Bridge Group is currently seeking trustees to support our work as an independent, research-focused charity promoting socio-economic inclusion in the UK. Please find a role description and an application form on our website: bit.ly/4qCK3At
Please share!
#inclusion #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup #trustee

Graphic with the text: We're proud to be a Living Wage Employer because we know by paying a real Living Wage we're helping to make work that works for everyone.

It’s #LivingWageWeek! 🎊
The Bridge Group is very proud to be part of the movement of over 16,000 employers making a difference by paying the real Living Wage - because everyone deserves a decent standard of living.
Find out more: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/news/living-...
@livingwageuk.bsky.social

It's #TrusteesWeek! Thank you to our dedicated board of trustees for your time, commitment, and the great effort you bring to the Bridge Group

It’s #TrusteesWeek - a time to come together to celebrate the achievements of nearly one million #trustees across the UK🎉
The Bridge Group is privileged to have a very active and dedicated board of trustees. If you’d like to become a trustee yourself, more details are here: bit.ly/4qCK3At

Graphic with the text: Are you interested in supporting organisations to make a lasting impact on socio-economic inclusion? Do you have sound judgement and a grounded approach to organisational management? Become a trustee for our independent, research charity promoting socio-economic inclusion in the UK.

If you want to support organisations to make a lasting impact on socio-economic #inclusion, and have an ability to think creatively yet practically about organisational #governance, you could apply to be a Bridge Group #trustee!

Find out more and apply:
www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/news/we-are-...

A woman looking at a tablet with the text: Read the Bridge Group newsletter

In our latest Autumn #Newsletter, we give a socio-economic snapshot of UK #FinancialServices in our latest dataset for Progress Together, provide info on how you can join us as a #trustee, and share a blog on the value of considering #intersectionality.
🍂 www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/newsletter

A picture of a crossroads with traffic and the text: Seeing the full picture - why social mobility needs intersectionality.

In our latest #blog, Bridge Group Researcher, Patricia Ncube, explains the value of considering #intersectionality; an approach that can be helpful both in #SocialScienceResearch and for leaders wanting to make meaningful change.

Read Patricia's blog here:
bit.ly/3L5wr0n
Photo by Altaf Shah

Graphic with the text: Do you have experience of helping small organisations to thrive? Do you have vision and creativity and a passion for making real and lasting social change? Become a trustee for the UK’s leading socio-economic inclusion research charity.

If you have experience of organisational governance and think your skills and knowledge could help us to flourish, we’d love you to apply to be a Bridge Group trustee!

Find out more and apply:
www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/news/we-are-...

#TenYearsOfBridgeGroup #SocialEquality #trustee

Woman sitting and reading with the text: Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed

The Bridge Group is a charity that uses research to promote social equality. Our Autumn newsletter is out soon. Subscribe and get our latest research updates, charity news and opportunities - straight into your inbox: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/subscribe

#newsletter #SocialMobility #SocialEquality

Quote from Jenny Baskerville, CE of the Bridge Group

Quote from Vincent Keaveny CBE, Chair of Progress Together

Quote from Sophie Hulm, CEO of Progress Together

Last week, we launched our new research with Progress Together showing that financial services employees from a lower socio-economic background face nearly two years longer to progress than their peers from privileged backgrounds.
bit.ly/4q5be6P
#PerformanceNotPrivilege #ShapingTheGrowth2025

Bridge Group team members outside the Bank of England

The report: Shaping the growth: Socio-economic diversity in financial services

The Bridge Group attended today’s senior leaders' roundtable at the Bank of England. Not your average roundtable — this one set the tone for the future.
Read more about the research and download the report: bit.ly/4q5be6P
#PerformanceNotPrivilege #ShapingTheGrowth2025 #ProgressTogether

Graphic with the text: Performance not privilege: Who gets to the top in UK financial services?

Socio-economic background remains the single strongest predictor of who reaches senior leadership in UK #FinancialServices, according to new data released today by the Bridge Group and Progress Together.

Read the report #ShapingTheGrowth2025: bit.ly/4q5be6P

#PerformanceNotPrivilege

Graphic with bar chart and the text: Who gets to the top in UK financial services?

At a pivotal moment for financial services, this morning the Bridge Group and Progress Together launch the 2025 socio-economic diversity Data Report, drawing on insights from over 210,000 employees across the UK financial services sector.
#PerformanceNotPrivilege #ShapingTheGrowth #ProgressTogethe

Image of a laptop with the text: Video FAQ: Why should organisations collect socio-economic background data?

Organisations that collect socio-economic background data have a greater understanding of what is going on within the workforce, and opportunities to make actions evidence-based and to evaluate progress.

During #NationalInclusionWeek, #NowIsTheTime to watch our video clip: bit.ly/3IqG3l5

🚨 Dedicated microsite on the backgrounds of Britain’s most powerful people 🚨

We published new research on elitism in Britain today.

Visit our microsite to read the report, browse case studies, and use our data viz to directly compare professions for yourself 👇

elitistbritain.suttontrust.com

Graphic with the text: National Inclusion Week 2025, 15-21 September #NowIsTheTime

Our research findings demonstrate that socio-economic background often has a stronger effect on accessing professions, pay and progression, than gender or ethnicity.

#NowIsTheTime to build socio-economic #DiversityAndInclusion in your workforce: bit.ly/4g9a8SP

#NationalInclusionWeek

Have you seen the Bridge Group’s video about who we are, our vision, our impact and how you can help us shape our future? If not, please watch and then complete our short survey: ro1flq1hnii.typeform.com/to/ZOMejCkt
OUR SURVEY CLOSES SOON.
#SocialEquality #SocialMobility #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup

An image showing some of the highlights since the Bridge Group was conceived in the form of a timeline. The timeline starts in 2009 when the concept of the Bridge Group, which would use independent research as a catalyst of social change, was formed.

Did you know that in 2009 six volunteers resolved to stop ‘just discussing’ #SocialEquality, and to do something about it? After convening experts and producing policy papers, the Bridge Group registered as a charity in 2015. We now celebrate our 10th anniversary. 🎉
For a timeline: bit.ly/3I3MoTk

Image of a woman smiling, and the text: International Day of Charity. Charity provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies.

Tomorrow is the UN’s #InternationalDayofCharity. As we celebrate #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup since we registered as a charity, we invite you to learn more about what we do and how our charitable status sets us apart: bit.ly/4l5HtPw.
#SocialEquality

Woman smiling with the text: This year we are celebrating 10 years since we registered as a charity. Help us shape the next 10. Please complete our survey on how we could enhance our work to improve social equality in the UK.

Please complete our short survey - which will be closing soon! ro1flq1hnii.typeform.com/to/ZOMejCkt

To continue making a real and lasting impact, the Bridge Group is keen to hear from you on how we could enhance our work to improve #SocialEquality in the UK.

Thank you. #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup

Image of some spanners and the text: Social mobility toolkits offer a step-by-step approach to improving the socio-economic diversity of your workforce.

The Bridge Group pioneered the first #SocialMobility toolkit with the Social Mobility Commission and a range of cross-sector employers. This then inspired a range of industry-specific toolkits.

Browse our guides and toolkits🧰: bit.ly/3Vn2QBb
##DiversityAndInclusion
Credit: Pixabay, Pexels

Graphic with the text: Making social equality a reality by research, consultancy, and engagement and advocacy. Find out how we support organisations with expertise, research and know-how to make a real, lasting impact on socio-economic diversity and social equality.

Since the Bridge Group registered as a charity we have supported many organisations with expertise, #research and know-how to make a real, lasting impact on socio-economic #diversity and #SocialEquality. Find out more about what we can do for you: bit.ly/3U17i8f

Photo of a smiling man with the text: Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed of the Bridge Group's research, news about the charity and exciting job opportunities.

🚨Spoiler alert: We will be #recruiting soon!
The Bridge Group is a charity that uses research to promote #SocialEquality. Subscribe to our #newsletter and get our latest #research updates, #charity news and #JobOpportunities - straight into your inbox: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/subscribe

A graphic showing a selection of some of the case studies that are on our website.

The Bridge Group regularly publishes #impact case studies: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/action1#impact

Our impact has only been possible through collaboration.
Complete our survey on how we could enhance our work to improve #SocialEquality in the UK🙏 ro1flq1hnii.typeform.com/to/ZOMejCkt

A collection of Bridge Group report covers and extracts of report covers

As we celebrate 10 years since we registered as a charity, we are reflecting on the wide range of reports we have produced for our clients. The image shows some of our publicly available reports, which are on our website here: www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/research
#SocialEquality #TenYearsOfBridgeGroup

Graphic with the text: For organisations that want to build socio-economic diversity and inclusion in their workforce, practical advice is available. (1) How to collect socio-economic background data (2) How to use socio-economic background data to inform action (3) How to set targets for socio-economic diversity in the workforce.

Interested in building socio-economic #DiversityAndInclusion in your workforce? Check out our #webinars: (1) Collecting socio-economic background data (2) Using data to inform action (3) Setting targets for a socio-economically diverse workforce
See here: bit.ly/4kJYyyg
#SocialEquality