SOLUTIONS

TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS

TO OPPORTUNITY

WELCOME TO THE BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS COMMISSION

The Breaking Down Barriers Commission - part of the Purpose Coalition - has been launched by former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, Nick Forbes CBE.

The Commission is now shaping the role businesses and organisations can play as responsible parts of society committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for their customers, colleagues and communities.

The Commission on Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity is part of the Purpose Coalition, which works with over 70 organisations including the BBC, UK Power Networks, bp, Virgin Money, Co-op Group, Travelodge, Centrica, Leonardo, Sodexo, Pennon Group, Channel 4, Reed, Hitachi, Reed, Royal Mail, E.ON, NHS Trusts, Councils and Universities amongst others.

You can find out more about Purpose Coalition here and the Commission’s first significant piece of work with law firms below.

CHAIRED BY NICK FORBES CBE

FORMER MEMBER OF KEIR STARMER’S SHADOW CABINET

“The Purpose Coalition has an established track record on shaping the levelling up agenda and we are now excited to be launching our Commission on Breaking Down Barriers. This is led by our group of business leaders to develop recommendations for the next government of any political colour - and for industry - to deliver the solutions Britain needs for our most pronounced social challenges.”

Nick Forbes CBE, former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet and Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission

RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Roundtable with Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Energy Security

  • Roundtable with Alistair Strathern MP, PPS to Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband

  • Roundtable with Ashley Dalton MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities

    20th March 2024

  • Roundtable with Andrew Western MP, Labour MP for Stratford and Urmston

    26th March 2024

POWERED BY THE PURPOSE GOALS

The leading framework to measure and track the work of organisations to break down barriers to opportunity.

TEAM AND SUPPORTERS

  • CATHERINE ATKINSON

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR DERBY NORTH

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • JONATHAN BRASH

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR HARTLEPOOL

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • SHAUN DAVIES

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR TELFORD

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • NICK FORBES CBE

    CHAIR OF THE BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS COMMISSION, AND FORMER MEMBER OF KEIR STARMER’S SHADOW CABINET

  • RT HON SIR GEORGE HOWARTH

    LABOUR MP FOR KNOWSLEY

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission

  • CONOR NAISMITH

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR CREWE AND NANTWICH

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • DARREN PAFFEY

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR SOUTHAMPTON, ITCHEN

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • ANDREW RANGER

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR WREXHAM

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • MICHELLE SCROGHAM

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR BARROW AND FURNESS

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

  • DAVID TAYLOR

    LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

    Supporter of the Breaking Down Barriers Pledge

As part of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, we are already working with dozens of regional law firms to look at how social mobility in the legal profession can be improved across the country, with a focus on regional firms and the key role they play.

The Commission is part of the innovative Purpose Coalition, made up of organisations who are working to break down barriers to opportunity.

The Coalition includes some Britain’s biggest names including the BBC, UK Power Networks, bp, Virgin Money, Co-op Group, Travelodge, Centrica, Leonardo, Sodexo, Pennon Group, Channel 4, The Wise Group, Pertemps, Hitachi, Reed, Royal Mail, E.ON, NHS Trusts, Councils and Universities amongst others.