Persimmon Homes West Midlands has launched its Opportunity Action Plan in partnership with former Education Secretary Justine Greening and the Social Mobility Pledge.
The housebuilder, which operates across Shropshire, Staffordshire and parts of the West Midlands, has pledged its commitment to addressing the most significant social inequalities across the UK.
The Opportunity Action Plan sets out best practice and a series of ambitions that
Persimmon will work towards with the aim of ensuring that more people in local communities are connected to career opportunities.
To mark the launch, The Rt Hon Justine Greening joined Persimmon’s new CEO Dean Finch on site where she had a go at bricklaying, carpentry and joinery with Persimmon apprentices, Dylan and Katie.
Justine Greening said: “Achieving true social mobility in Britain and levelling up our country is a huge challenge but one that businesses and universities are rising to.
“Businesses like Persimmon Homes have a crucial role to play in the housebuilding sector and beyond and can be an incredible force for good in spreading opportunities more evenly across communities and to people that have missed out for far too long.”
The Social Mobility Pledge was launched in 2018 to tackle Britain’s widespread lack of social mobility. By signing the Pledge, businesses and universities commit to enhancing opportunities by working with local schools; offering training and apprenticeships; and by adopting fair recruitment polices.
Persimmon is one of a pioneering group of UK businesses and universities aiming to set a new and higher standard on boosting social mobility in Britain, with boardroom focus on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues.
Stephen Cleveley, Persimmon Homes West Midlands managing director, said: “Our aim is to create and support sustainable and inclusive communities, while maintaining a diverse, talented, engaged and motivated workforce.
“In our own sector, one of the greatest challenges experienced is that of families who are struggling for a foothold on the housing ladder. In helping them overcome this barrier we not only create opportunities and skilled jobs, but deliver real social value for our customers and communities.
“Persimmon strives to be a leader in delivering opportunity as part of our business purpose, and our work with the Social Mobility Pledge will underpin this effort.”
