Starting Early Matters
We work in partnership with schools and employers to unlock the academic, career and leadership potential of diverse future talent aged 7-19.
10,000+
Students developed
100%
Increased career knowledge
85%
Consider new career paths
95%
Improved leadership skills
About Us
Diverse Leaders Network (DLN) is dedicated to unlocking the full academic, career and leadership potential of young people aged 7-19 from marginalised backgrounds. DLN has developed the leadership skills of over 10,000 learners and has become a trusted partner in early engagement, helping employers forge meaningful long-term relationships with future talent to drive diversity and skills within their organisation and industry.
Founded in 2014 by two teachers, we partner with STEAM-based industries to provide an all-age leadership and careers curriculum designed to overcome three identified barriers that contribute to a lack of social mobility in the UK: poor careers awareness, poor employment and leadership abilities, and a lack of access to work-related opportunities.
Our Approach
An all-age leadership and career readiness curriculum that starts at Key Stage 2 (age 7) and continues to Key Stage 5 (age 19). The curriculum is designed to break down the barriers between young people and STEAM industries by increasing their careers awareness, leadership abilities and access to work-related opportunities and diverse professionals.
Careers Awareness
We raise awareness of non-stereotypical jobs, emerging sectors, job evolution and the skills revolution.
Leadership Abilities
We develop transferable human skills from foundation to mastery level, as well as technical and industry-specific skills.
Work-related Access
We showcase diverse leaders to raise inclusion and equity across sectors as well as providing access to work-related opportunities.
Partners and Supporters
65%
65% of children entering primary school today will work in job categories that do not yet exist
7
stereotypes about careers, ethnicity, gender and class begin to form in children as young as 7.
43%
of all new jobs in the UK will require leadership skills of some kind.
Are you Ready to Future Proof the Next Generation?
Get Involved
For Employers
We help employers build meaningful long-term relationships with future talent to drive diversity and skills within the organisation and industry as well as supporting employers to create social value that impacts their local communities.
For Schools
We help primary and secondary schools meet their careers education targets and improve student outcomes by providing young people, aged 7-19, with meaningful and age-appropriate early careers engagement opportunities and leadership development.
For Inspiring Leaders
We help leaders utilise their skills, knowledge and experience by providing individuals with meaningful opportunities to support the leadership and careers development of young people, aged 7-19 from all backgrounds.
For Young People
To prepare young people for a rapidly changing world, we focus on three key areas: raising awareness of non-stereotypical careers, building future-proof skills, and providing access to diverse role models and work-related opportunities.
Testimonials
"a unique way to develop leadership skills"
"It has been an incredibly positive and unique way for our staff to develop their leadership skills, enhance their inclusive behaviours and gain different perspectives by working with (and learning from) young people from diverse backgrounds in our communities. Many mentors commented that they felt as if they were being mentored, not the other way around. The impact on everyone involved has been profound!"
Social Sustainability Manager
Landsec
"We are very pleased with DLN"
"We are very pleased with Diverse Leaders Network. It's been a great opportunity for our students to learn leadership skills and apply them in their lives. Leadership Education should be part of the curriculum. It is as important as Science, Maths, and English."
Headteacher
Townley Grammar School
"Highly recommend this"
“I have never taken part in something like this before and this experience will stay with me for a long time. This mentoring programme has made me feel more courageous and sure about my future, as this was something that I was struggling with and didn't have a clear idea about. I would recommend this to others.”
Student
St. Saviours & St. Olave's School
