Balfour Beatty Group’s chief executive, Leo Quinn, has been appointed life president of The 5% Club.
Quinn founded the national charity in 2013 to drive skills development and combat youth unemployment.
The 5% Club was established on the principle that businesses should aim for at least 5% of their workforce to be in ‘earn and learn’ roles.
The charity now represents more than 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 of The 5% Club, Balfour Beatty currently has 7.4% of its workforce in ‘earn and learn’ roles.
Speaking at the House of Lords, where the appointment was announced, 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.”
Inspiring a ‘generation of leaders’
The honorary position includes a permanent seat on The 5% Club’s Business Leadership Council, and ambassadorial duties representing The 5% Club across industry, government, and policy forums.
Ozlem Gunduz Robinson, The 5% Club’s chair of trustees, said: “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.”
In March, Quinn announced he will step down from Balfour Beatty Group’s board after more than a decade in the role.
He will be succeeded in September by Philip Hoare, chief operating officer at AtkinsRéalis.
