Pentland Brands is joining mission-led start-up The People to form a new youth advisory board at the heart of its employee experience. The group, whose brands include Speedo, Ellesse, and Berghaus, is seeking six young people under 30 in its key markets – the UK, USA, India, Vietnam and China – to act as a focus group and inform key strategic decisions.
The so-called Pentland Collective youth board will shape how the business supports, nurtures and develops current and potential employees. The collective will meet every quarter – like an actual Board of Directors – to discuss social and business priorities for Pentland Brands and is hoped it will provide a fresh outside-in perspective to Pentland Brands to help diversify and future-proof the business.
The move comes after recent research by the Corporate Counsel Business Journal showing that, while over 50 percent of the world’s population is under 30, the average age of a Board of Directors is almost 60.
The Pentland Collective, co-created by Pentland Brands, The People and young changemakers, was first developed in 2022 to address career barriers faced by young people from underrepresented communities. Pentland Brands has the goal of supporting one million people in its communities by its centenary year in 2032.
Applications are now open and close Friday Aug. 18, 2023.
