The 10,000 Interns Foundation welcomes David Hutchison OBE to the board as Co-Chair

The 10,000 Interns Foundation, a pioneering non-profit dedicated to empowering underrepresented students and graduates in the UK, today announces the appointment of David Hutchison as Co-Chair of its Board of Trustees. With a steadfast commitment to social impact, specifically at the intersection of corporate innovation and social responsibility, David brings a wealth of experience, network, and leadership to the Foundation from his Investment Banking career, as first CEO of leading non-profit, Social Finance, and as Chair of 3i.

As the Foundation creates another 2,000 internships this Summer, we are incredibly proud to be just one year away from our original milestone of creating 10,000 internships. With more than 45,000 students and graduates having applied to the programme since 2020 and an employer network of over 700 leading organisations, the Foundation embodies and celebrates the diversity of commitment shown to our mission. David’s appointment proudly acknowledges the consistent need for everyone to commit to a future where our industries reflect the incredible diversity of the UK.

David joins forces with Co-Founder and existing Chair, Wol Kolade: “We are delighted to welcome David Hutchison to our Board of Trustees,” said Wol, “With his exceptional expertise and dedication to our mission, we are confident that David will play a pivotal role in guiding our organisation as we strive to empower even more underrepresented individuals across the UK, achieve our original goal of creating 10,000 internships and look beyond that to launch our long term strategy.”

Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of The 10,000 Interns Foundation says “Right now, talent is equally distributed, but opportunity still isn’t, and the best of business is not getting through the doors; David understands that not only does this mean racial wealth gaps and disability employment gaps stay intact, but also that we are missing out on business innovation. He takes this personally and I am so thrilled to have him as my [Co-]Chair, 10,000 internships are just the beginning for us!”

David Hutchison, Co-Chair of The 10,000 Interns Foundation added: “The achievements of the Foundation since it was established are truly remarkable. It is a privilege to be able to support Rebecca and her team deliver on the Foundation’s important mission. By opening up the opportunity for young talent from underrepresented groups to thrive, I am a great believer that businesses can only emerge stronger.”

As the Foundation looks to the future, the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to opening the doors to opportunity for its bright, young Black talent and continues to support Disabled talent through internships. With our strong Board of Trustees and the milestone of 10,000 internship opportunities within reach, The 10,000 Interns Foundation continues to lead the way in transforming UK workplaces to create equity of opportunity for generations to come.

Since its establishment in 2020, the Foundation has facilitated over 7,000 paid internships, receiving an impressive 50,000+ applications. The report underscores the transformative power of these internships, with over 70% of alumni currently employed, and 30% retained at  their host organisations. The Foundation’s work has not only created pathways for Black talent but has also challenged conventional recruitment practices, highlighting the disparity between perceived ‘quality’ of applications and actual intern performance.

The 10-year strategy, grounded in robust data and insights, sets forth an ambitious vision for the future. The Foundation aims to broaden its reach, strengthen engagement with Black talent, catalyse the transformation of recruitment practices, and solidify its position as a thought leader on diversity and inclusion.

Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of the 10,000 Interns Foundation, commented: “What we have achieved in four short years is completely unique. A scale of direct impact that hasn’t been attempted before. We are the fastest growing pipeline of Black Talent in the UK and we are literally changing lives and rewriting generational narratives. We’ve learned a huge amount and now we’re ready to meet an even bigger challenge than access: workplace culture.”

The Impact Report serves as a clarion call, underscoring the urgent need to address systemic inequalities. The Foundation’s data reveals that Black candidates often encounter significant barriers to entry due to narrow definitions of ‘quality’ and unconscious bias in recruitment processes. By challenging these norms and championing a more inclusive approach, the 10,000 Interns Foundation is forging a path towards a more equitable future for Black professionals in the UK.