The Harris Group

Our ambitious new registered charity, dedicated to expanding opportunity, strengthening social mobility and ensuring every young person can access the networks, experiences and support they need to flourish.

To mark the launch of The Opportunity Trust, we brought together a community of leaders united by a shared belief: that a young person's future should never be limited by their circumstances.

Together, we explored a powerful question: What could be achieved if we united around a shared commitment to transform opportunities for Harris students?

The Opportunity Trust has been created to help answer that challenge. Building on Harris' track record of transforming educational outcomes, the charity will broaden our reach, deepen our impact and help more young people access the experiences, networks and opportunities that can shape their futures.

Guests heard from Harris CEO and Chair of the Opportunity Trust, Sir Dan Moynihan, who spoke about both the scale of the disadvantage gap and the proven impact Harris is having in helping young people overcome it.

We were then joined by an outstanding panel including Janine Glasenberg, EMEA Head of Recruiting at Goldman Sachs, Jonathan Tait, Social Impact Senior Advisor at Linklaters, and Valentine Douglas, a former Harris student who is now Chief of Staff at Vitol.

Their discussion highlighted the transformative power of partnerships between education and industry. From workplace experiences and mentoring to professional networks and career opportunities, the panel explored how employers can help open doors, raise aspirations and unlock potential.

As Mr Tait from Linklaters observed:

"They really appreciate the opportunities they're given. Every Harris student who's come through these doors has seized the opportunity with both hands, and that's very rewarding for our volunteers to see."

The event concluded with lively networking and a shared sense of ambition about what can be achieved together.

As another guest reflected:

"It was inspiring to connect with individuals and organisations dedicated to advancing social mobility. The Harris CEOs not only highlighted the stark realities of the disadvantage gap but also demonstrated a proven, working model for real change."

This is only the beginning. Through The Opportunity Trust, we are building a growing community of partners committed to ensuring that a young person's future is defined not by their circumstances, but by their talent, ambition and potential.

Find out more: https://www.opportunitytrust.org.uk/

Interested in partnering with Harris? Email us at info@opportunitytrust.org.uk