BALFOUR Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn has been appointed life president of The 5% Club, the charity he founded in 2013 to help drive skills development and combat youth unemployment.
The appointment is said to reflect The 5% Club’s transformation from a bold idea into a UK-wide sustainable movement for employer-led skills development. Founded on the principle that businesses should aim for at least 5% of their workforce to be in ‘earn and learn’ roles, The 5% Club now represents over 1,200 member organisations, collectively employing more than 1.95 million people, including 88,000 apprentices, 22,000 graduates, and 10,000 sponsored students.
As one of the founding members, Balfour Beatty currently has 7.4% of its workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles.
The new honorary position recognises Leo Quinn’s role in establishing The 5% Club’s purpose and impact, and formalises his continued involvement beyond governance – enabling him to contribute to strategic dialogue, act as an ambassador, and inspire the next phase of growth.
Speaking at the House of Lords, where the appointment was announced, Leo Quinn said, “I founded The 5% Club in 2013 to address the twin challenges of persistent youth unemployment and a growing national skills gap. More than a decade later, I’m proud of what our members have achieved – real opportunities, measurable progress, and a lasting shift in employer mindsets.
“But the mission isn’t finished. Nearly one million young people in the UK are still not in education, employment or training. For me, the life presidency is not only an honour – it’s a call to action. I’m as committed today as I was a decade ago to building a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.”
The role includes a permanent seat on The 5% Club’s business leadership council, and ambassadorial duties representing the charity across industry, government and policy forums.
Ozlem Gunduz Robinson, The 5% Club’s chair of trustees, added, “Leo Quinn’s belief in social mobility and the responsibilities of businesses has inspired an entire generation of leaders. His appointment as life president marks not only a personal tribute, but a commitment to carrying his founding ethos into the future.”
