The Leathersellers and CapGen help advance social mobility through work experience collaboration
- In support of social mobility, the Leathersellers have connected CapGen (property advisors to the Leathersellers) to recipients of its undergraduate Student Grants Programme and Sixth Form students from the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools in south-east London.
- Applications were invited to the CapGen work experience scheme resulting in two placements for Sixth Form students at Prendergast School and one placement for a current holder of a Leathersellers’ Student Grant at the University of Southampton.
- The Leathersellers have been fostering opportunity for students since the 17th century, awarding their first undergraduate student grant in 1603.
- The CapGen work experience scheme aims to boost social mobility as part of a larger drive to “increase diverse perspectives in the workplace, which are vital for an informed and global outlook.”
The Leathersellers and CapGen have collaborated on a work experience scheme aimed at improving access to investment finance and advancing social mobility.
Students were selected from partners and programmes connected to the Leathersellers, including the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools (associated with the Leathersellers since the 19th century) and the Student Grants Programme of the Leathersellers’ Foundation.
Larissa Smith, HR Associate Director at CapGen says: “It was a pleasure to work with the Leathersellers to expand our work experience week to students from the school they support. As a company we are committed to increasing diverse perspectives in the workplace, which are vital for an informed and global outlook.”
Clare Flanagan, Partner, Head of Client Development says: “The work experience programme has evolved from just one day in the summer a few years ago, to now a cross departmental effort where we ensure that students get the most from their time here – not just learning more about investment finance, but also the social and cultural aspects of work that can help raise their chances when it comes to competing with peers who may have more socio-economic advantages.”
Two Sixth Form students from Prendergast School, Ioannis Rozgari and Ashley Kouomou, part of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools, joined a total cohort of 11 for a week placement at CapGen. Nashly Amparo Cardenas Castrillon, holder of a Leathersellers’ Foundation Student Grant, and also an alumna of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools, joined for three weeks.
Ashley and Ioannis with Larissa Smith, HR Associate Director
“For the Sixth Formers,” continues Clare, “the week was a busy one – we concentrated on both the practical and the cultural – from speed interviews with a recruiter and reviewing CVs, to a day of lectures at the Saïd Business School and lunch at Balliol College – it’s all about skills and demonstrating to the students that they can belong in these places and encouraging them to bring down any self-imposed barriers.”
Commenting at the end of the weeklong placement, Ashley Kouomou said: “I’ve really enjoyed the experience; the people have been friendly and given us access to different opportunities. It’s especially well-timed for university applications because I can talk about this in my personal statement.”
Adding to the positive feedback, Ioannis Rozgari said: I like how interactive the week was as we got access to the different functions and roles at CapGen, for example learning what an expense report is, and actually doing the work. I found the CV tips particularly helpful; I realised there are lots of things I need to improve.”
The ambition at CapGen is to keep improving the scheme and encourage students to stay in touch as Clare says: “We want the value of our work experience to continue way beyond that one week – before they leave we encourage them to think about cultivating their networks, to have a LinkedIn profile and add everyone they’ve met during their time here – we want them to know that when they send us a message in the future, we’re going to listen and be willing to help.”
Matthew Lawrence, Chief Executive of the Leathersellers said: “As our property advisor, CapGen has helped us to steward our assets for the benefit of partner organisations and grantees. I am so pleased that this initiative, aimed at fostering opportunity, has seen us successfully bring together our corporate and education partners. In the future I hope we can assist our other advisors with similar endeavours in support of social mobility.”
Nashly Castrillon
The CapGen work experience scheme took place in July 2025.
Photography by Jayne Lloyd.
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