Pentland Brands, the name behind some of the world’s best-known brands including Speedo, Berghaus and ellesse, is joining mission-led start-up The People to form a new youth advisory board at the heart of its employee experience.
Pentland Brands is seeking people under the age of 30 in its key markets – the UK, USA, India, Vietnam and China – to act as a focus group and inform key strategic decisions. The youth advisory board, which is now open for applications until Friday 18th August, will shape how the business supports, nurtures and develops its current and potential employees.
The move comes from recent research by the Corporate Counsel Business Journal showing that, while over 50% of the global population is under the age of 30, the average age of a board of directors is almost 60. Bringing together internal and external perspectives, the youth advisory board will also offer young people a unique insight into the global family business behind some of the world’s best-loved brands.
Alongside the young changemakers who form part of The People’s network, the board will be made up of Pentland Brands employees from internal D&I networks, including LGBTQ+ communities, Black colleagues and their allies, women and wellbeing. The group will offer diverse perspectives to tackle key business challenges, redefining the employee experience from reward to recruitment.
The Pentland Collective, which was co-created by Pentland Brands, The People and young changemakers, was first developed in 2022 as a way of addressing the career barriers faced by young people from underrepresented communities.
Pentland Brands’ partnership with The People is underpinned by its goal to support one million people in its communities. This goal forms part of Pentland Brands’ positive business strategy, which outlines its commitment to take action for people and planet in support of future generations.
Kian Bakhtiari, founder of The People, said: “We are proud to partner with Pentland Brands, a company that is engaged and willing to listen, learn and support a new generation of global talent. The Pentland Collective brings young and diverse voices into the boardroom and delivers fresh-outside perspectives into the business. This is a vehicle for positive social change.”
Sara Brennan, positive business director, Pentland Brands, added: “Our partnership with The People is designed to make positive changes for the next generation of talent entering the workplace, as well as supporting our current employees to make a real difference. Exploring fresh perspectives allows us to take action in a way that supports, reflects and celebrates the diversity of our teams, both now and in the future.”
