Firms from the property and financial services sectors have secured a prominent place on the shortlist for the 2025 UK Social Mobility Awards.
Run by social mobility charity Making The Leap, the awards – now in their eighth year – recognise organisations and individuals making demonstrable strides to improve access and opportunity for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Among the financial services firms to receive multiple nominations are Lloyds Banking Group, which is shortlisted in four categories, including organisation of the year, while Knight Frank, NatWest, Schroders, Coventry Building Society and KPMG also feature strongly.
Property consultancies Savills and Knight Frank were also recognised, with nominations spanning leadership, innovation and rising star categories.
Paul Speight of Lloyds and Chelsea Whelan of Knight Frank are named as contenders for champion of the year, with rising star nominations for Joel Cooper at Knight Frank and Sarah Katherine Thorley at Savills.
The momentum across the finance and property industries has been welcomed by the organisers, who point to a marked shift in attitudes and greater emphasis on embedding long-term change through recruitment, career progression and leadership.
Tunde Banjoko, founder and chief executive at Making The Leap, said: “We’re really pleased to see such strong representation from the property and financial sectors this year. The work being carried out by these organisations highlights how institutions are shifting their mindsets. We’re especially pleased to see individual changemakers being recognised alongside large-scale initiatives.
“I’d strongly encourage organisations looking to build or deepen their social mobility efforts to get in touch. There are powerful opportunities to partner, learn, and lead in this space.”
Winners will be announced at a fundraising gala in London on 2 October 2025, an event that has become a key fixture in the corporate DEI calendar. Attended by senior HR, CSR and executive leaders, the evening celebrates best practice and encourages wider collaboration across sectors.
