Lord’s hosts UK’s largest speed networking event

• Over 600 business leaders share careers advice with over 600 local teenagers at Home of Cricket.
• Event was organised by the Mayor’s Team London volunteering initiative, in partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club’s Community Development team, and is designed to help prepare teenagers in the capital for the world of work.

Lord’s Cricket Ground played host to the UK’s largest ever speed networking event on Thursday 22^nd October, with over 600 top business leaders meeting hundreds of schoolchildren to discuss careers advice.

The event was organised by the Mayor’s Team London volunteering initiative, in partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club’s Community Development team, and gives local 13 to 15-year-olds the chance to learn from the UK’s top tech experts, creative leaders and entrepreneurs.

Twitter, British Airways, ASOS, Harrods, The British Library and Christie’s Auction House were all represented at the event, with hundreds of other professionals sharing their insight, know-how and top tips with young people in speed networking sessions lasting four minutes.

Laura Brown, Marylebone Cricket Club Community Development Manager, said: “It was a privilege for MCC to host this event at Lord’s, and it was a great success. We’re delighted to be working closely with Team London on events such as this, which adds to our existing work with a number of local organisations to help provide opportunities for local young people seeking employment and careers advice – some of which will be in the sports industry. I would like to thank the huge number of business leaders who volunteered their time, as well as the schools who attended – I’m sure the young people gained a lot of valuable advice from the day.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘It is absolutely vital that we give young Londoners the right knowledge and skills to compete in the global marketplace. What better way for schoolchildren to find out about the range of careers on offer in our great city than hearing from the professionals who can bring personal insight as well as expertise?’