SEGRO celebrates the launch of its Patchwork Programme
SEGRO hosted an event at Portcullis House to celebrate the launch of the SEGRO – Patchwork Foundation 2019 Masterclass Programme. The programme will equip young people from disadvantaged and under- represented backgrounds with the skills and confidence they need to actively participate in democracy and civil society, and inspires them to pursue careers in government and the public sector.
The event also officially welcomed the 30 young people who have been selected to enrol on the Masterclass Programme.
Over 110 people attended the event, including a range of cross-party MPs, local councillors, civil servants, local authority officials, charities and business organisations.
As part of the event, speeches were given by SEGRO’s Chief Executive David Sleath, Sheikh Aliur Rahman, a Patchwork Foundation Trustee, and Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities. The speeches covered the importance of the Patchwork Foundation’s work and the opportunity it gives to young people from disadvantaged and under- represented backgrounds to excel in their careers.
Most of the 30 young people live in the communities in which SEGRO operates. Throughout the masterclass programme they will take part in a range of sessions covering topics such as leadership, media and journalism, campaigning and policy making. The sessions will be delivered by Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, government ministers, distinguished journalists. David Sleath, CEO of SEGRO will deliver a session on Leadership.
Alongside the masterclass programme the course participants receive informal mentoring and one to one guidance and career advice. A particular highlight of the course is visiting number 10. Downing Street, Parliament and the Party Conferences.
David Sleath, Chief Executive of SEGRO, said:
“It was great to host this celebration event and we’re very pleased to be working with Patchwork Foundation. I hope that our support can help to change the lives of the young people on the programme.
Farmida Bi, Chair, Patchwork Foundation, said:
“We welcome SEGRO's support of the Patchwork Masterclass Programme, which enables us to support young people from areas in which SEGRO is active. During the 10-month programme, all the young people will have the opportunity to learn from those at the top of politics and civil society, while attending sessions in high profile environments such as Government departments and corporate environments. We look forward to working alongside SEGRO to help support the development of young people in the coming year.”
SEGRO is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates through a variety of funding interventions, volunteering, training and employment programmes. Since 2015, our SEGRO Community Fund – managed by the London Community Foundation and the Berkshire Community Foundation – has helped over 2,000 people. The fund helps to provide training and volunteering opportunities to the local community to help people into employment or education.
About SEGRO
SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and light industrial property. It owns or manages 7 million square metres of space (75 million square feet) valued at £11 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in eight other European countries.
See www.SEGRO.com for further information.