MEET THE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AWARDS 2024 CHARITY PARTNER - SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO London) is a UK-registered diversity and inclusion charity committed to providing exceptional educational, training, and mentoring support to young people from low socioeconomic and ethnic minority backgrounds. Since its founding in 2000, SEO London has been instrumental in advancing workplace diversity and inclusion, helping young people gain access to leading industries such as investment banking, asset management, consulting, commercial real estate, technology, alternative investments, insurance, and corporate law.

In 2021, SEO London launched its Real Estate programme with the support of Goldman Sachs, Eastdil Secured, and Tristan Capital, aiming to create a pipeline of new talent for this traditionally hard-to-reach industry. Since its inception, the programme has supported 800 undergraduate students, providing them with invaluable access and exposure to the commercial real estate sector. Notably, 96% of participants report having a clearer understanding of how to pursue a career in commercial real estate after enrolling in the programme.

THEIR VISION

A society where everyone, regardless of background, has equal opportunity to achieve long-term professional and personal success

THEIR MISSION

To prepare talented students from underrepresented backgrounds for career success through industry-specific education and training programmes.

“The industry insights and mentorship directly led me to secure a summer internship at a leading RE firm”

- 2024 RE participant

“There are swathes of young people in the UK with drive and ambition who lack the network, resources or insight to be able to take the first steps into a career in real estate. Having worked at the nexus of education and business for over thirty years in the UK and US, I know that informing, mentoring, and supporting new generations is the most potent and productive way to bring about real change. SEO London is the ideal partner to create new pathways into our industry for talented young people, enabling real estate businesses to tap into a wealth of unrealised talent.”

- Ric Lewis, Founding partner of RE programme, Founder and Executive Chairman, Tristan Capital