.png){kind=logo}
SEO LONDON IMPACT
2024-2025
OUR IMPACT ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
955
462
955 participants went on to secure competitive summer internships, vacation schemes and graduate roles.
462 of these roles were at one of our sponsor firms.
97%
97% felt empowered to be ambitious about their career goals.
97%
97% felt that SEO London’s support
was credible and reliable.
WHAT DID WE DELIVER?
2,415 participants took part in one of our selective programmes
812 education hours
Our Education programmes provide the knowledge and skills to secure a placement
123 training hours
Our training programmes prepare participants tothrive on their placement
935 hours of programme delivery
737 mentor matches
WE SURVEYED SEO LONDON’S SUMMER 2025 GRADS, HERE’S WHERE THEY’RE AT
97% of graduates who have secured a role so far were earning over the average UK starting graduate salary (£30k+)
45% of respondents with graduate roles were earning a salary of £50k or over
85% of respondents with graduate roles thought that taking part in SEO London had helped secure them
"SEO helped me overcome imposter syndrome and go into interviews more self-assured and authentic. I am excited to continue growing as a young professional and hope to give back by supporting the next generation."
Somaya is an undergraduate at King’s College London and a current SEO Careers participant. She is currently preparing for graduate-level opportunities.
OUR IMPACT ON SCHOOL STUDENTS
109
109 tangible workplace experiences were provided to SEO Schools students in addition to our core programming.
X 2
Participants were twice as likely to apply to one of the highest performing and most competitive universities, relative to their peers from similar backgrounds.
IGNITE
Ignite is our new summer residential that introduces Year 11 students to the world of work through exclusive career insights, skills training and exposure to industry professionals, as well as social-capital–building experiences.
1 week residential at The London Schoolof Economics
50 Year 11 students from 33 schools
60 sponsor firm volunteers
" SEO London has massively helped me become more optimistic about my future. The interview advice and pre-internship technical training from people who’ve already succeeded in their own careers has helped me feel much more confident when applying to new opportunities. Coming from a non-selective state school in West London, with no corporate access and as the only person in my family to go to university after my mum fled the war in Yugoslavia at 19, SEO London opened doors I never knew existed. Through paid opportunities like my week at Permira, I was able to buy my first suit,one I’ve worn to countless interviews and internships."
Nicholas is an undergraduate at Imperial College London. He began his journey with SEO Schools and has continued into SEO Careers, where he is now participating in the Finance Academy, having recently secured a 2026 Summer Internship at JP Morgan Asset Management.
"I felt so behind the curve before I joined SEO London; now I’m so confident in talking to the people I network with about anything industry related. I feel more secure that I know what I’m aiming for too!"
Finance Academy Participant
IMPACT ON FIRMS
We are creating meaningful change alongside our sponsor firms by helping them build more diverse and equitable workforces. Our partner firms support our programmes and in turn benefit from new hires who have received intensive SEO London support before joining them.
VOLUNTEERING THAT ENRICHES THE WORKFORCE
Last year, we expanded our fundraising initiatives to offer opportunities for our partners to get involved in engaging activities and events while also supporting our cause.Here’s some of the fun ways our partners volunteered:
"Our collaboration with SEO London has positively impacted our early-careers recruitment at Nomura in several ways. SEO’s ability and expertise in connecting us with high-potential candidates from underrepresented backgrounds has significantly enhanced our recruitment efforts and workforce diversity. SEO stands out due to their deep industry knowledge, comprehensive approach, and strong network within this community."
Daryl Doyle, Investment Banking EarlyCareers Recruitment Lead, Nomura
"As someone who over the last few decades has learned a fair amount about what it takes to enter these professions, I endorse City Solicitors Horizons for the work they do in rebalancing the context for members of underrepresented communities – raising their awareness, ambitions and confidence alongside tailored individualised support to help emerging lawyers make that jump. Who would not want to endorse that? I’d urge any employer keen to expand its talent pipeline to explore, support and engage with what CSH is doing."
Patrick McCann, Chief Executive,
City of London Law Society
JACOB
"SEO London has been a transformative force throughout my career,providing practical and emotional support at every stage. My journey began with a strong sense of independence and resourcefulness;my first internships were self-sourced without access to established networks or traditional pathways.
Joining SEO London, I found a community, the structure and support I had been missing. They helped me master the fundamentals: CV writing,interview preparation and application strategy.
SEO London provided stability during some of the most demanding periods of my career,particularly in my years in banking. Later, the Alternatives Investment Programme (AIP)broadened my perspective, connecting me with senior investors and providing insights into private markets. This continuity, from school and early careers support to AIP, was instrumental in my progression from J.P. Morgan’s EMEA Healthcare team to my current role at TPG.
SEO London transformed how I approach career planning, giving me the structure and intentionality to make informed, evidence based decisions. The Alternatives Academy and Fellowship then delivered the insights and technical training that demystified private markets and helped me shift from an advisory mindset to an owner’s perspective.
Mentorship was a cornerstone of the programme, with my mentor offering unbiased guidance on when to pursue new opportunities and how to balance recruitment preparation with professional responsibilities. Structured interview coaching further refined my technical skills and narrative, helping me clearly articulate how my diverse background translated into investor judgment, deal execution and people management.
SEO London played a decisive role in my transition to the buy side. The team helped nurture my initial interest in investing,supporting me to clarify my motivations and validate my aspirations. AIP provided access to professionals across the sector, individuals who generously shared their time and expertise, offering insights into the strategic landscape and the realities of the role."
Jacob, Investment Professional in Private Equity at TPG. Jacob’s journey with SEO London, from SEO Careers to AIP Fellow, led him from a J.P.Morgan internship and early career in investment banking, to ultimately transitioning to the buy side.He now volunteers his time to support to the next generation of SEO London participants.
OUR REACH
5,042 young people attended at least one of our events
94% were from ethnic minority backgrounds
57% were from low socioeconomic backgrounds
42% were women
or girls
13% recent graduates
6% at school
116 sponsor firms supported the delivery of our programmes and opportunities, across
6 industries
.png)
In 2024–25 we also supported young people in France through our SEO Europe expansion project. Our SEO France Impact Report will be published in Spring 2026.
FAITH
"SEO Schools exposed me to a wide variety of industries, primarily because I made sure to attend as many events as possible. This mindset of seeking exposure and continuous improvement has fully integrated into my professional life. I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills through continuous training and learning, a direct continuation of the drive I cultivated during my time with SEO London.
I have secured a Building Surveying Degree Apprenticeship at BNP Paribas Real Estate (BNPPRE). Prior to this, I also completed a three-week internship with BNPPRE, which was secured through the SEO London partnership.
SEO London played a huge part in helping me secure this role, providing significant
support and an essential foundation of skills. The overwhelming interview support from SEO London provided the emotional reassurance I needed, they made the entire application process much less intimidating for me as a 17-year-old at the time.
SEO London gave me a practical understanding of the phrase, ‘a closed mouth don’t get fed’. During work experiences with SEO, I made it a point to network and ask
questions to deliberately take myself out of my comfort zone. This courage enabled me to speak to BNPPRE about potential apprenticeship roles in the company.
When SEO informed me that I had secured the apprenticeship, I was elated! Of course, I immediately called my mum to share the news. The apprenticeship has given me a major head start in the field.
I now actively look for ways to give back by helping young people explore degree apprenticeships and opportunities in the Real Estate industry, and through volunteering with SEO London I share insights from my role to educate and inspire the next generation. For now and the future, I am and will continue to be bold and brave to ask for what I want. This mindset will hopefully help me discover and pursue new paths in life."
Faith is an undergraduate student at University College of Estate Management. She began her journey with SEO Schools and is now an SEO Careers participant, building her career in Real Estate through a degree apprenticeship.
Target group
Students and young professionals from low socioeconomic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds
HOW WE ADDRESS THE GAP
Our Theory of Change demonstrates how our activities drive career success. Our programmes drive short term outcomes and prepare participants to go on and independently secure competitive employment opportunities.
