dream big, connect & succeed

Supporting our Next Generation
of Young People

We are a FREE to access program

The Young Leaders Club aims to empower young people (16-26 years old) in and around the Birmingham area, including those who meet the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) criteria. We provide a range of opportunities for growth and networking, while promoting advocacy for diversity and equality through workshops, mentorship & networking.

Supported by

the leaders club

Creating Opportunities for young people

The Young Leaders Club is designed to support and empower the next generation of young people (16-26 years old), providing them with opportunities for professional and personal growth.

We appreciate how difficult it can be to gain the opportunities these young people need, especially those coming from underrepresented communities. We work directly with organisations, businesses, and professionals to create diverse opportunities so our young people can reach their full potential and create a fairer future for everyone.

How we help Young People

We invite all young people to join the Young Leaders Club by applying for membership to enjoy a variety of opportunities and support. 

  • Secondment Programs

    Temporary work placements that allow young people to experience a new work environment, potentially in a different location or industry than they have previously been exposed to.

  • Accreditations & Certifications

    We aim to provide young leaders with a variety of accreditations and certifications, to help them step into their chosen career path.

  • Workshops (non-compulsory)

    Our young leaders will benefit from workshops designed to enhance their knowledge and skillset, and to give them a taste of different careers.

  • A Dedicated Mentor

    Mentors provide real-life experience and knowledge, offering advice and support to our young leaders.

  • Networking

    Meeting professionals and entrepreneurs can have a positive impact on establishing and developing your career path. Delivered through our partners, our networking events will give our young people the opportunity to meet and get to know professionals from a wide range of industries.

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    How Organisations can Get Involved

    Businesses, organisations, and professionals are encouraged to get involved as well. The more involvement we receive from local businesses and organisations, the greater the opportunities we can provide for young people. You can get involved by:

    • Becoming an Ambassador

      Help us to help our young leaders. Represent the Young Leaders Club, support the services we provide, and embody our identity and mission. We need ambassadors to shape the future of the next generation and provide equal opportunities for everyone.

    • Becoming a Mentor

      Guide, lead and support the next generation by sharing your experience and industry knowledge. Feel an incredible sense of satisfaction from knowing you have made a difference in a young leader’s life.

    • Providing Corporate Sponsorship

      Your sponsorship can help us to provide services, courses, programmes and on-going support to all our young mentees.

    • Offering Secondment Programmes to Members

      Give our young leaders the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and encourage them to pursue careers in your industry by offering secondment programs.

    Phil Hocking

    Ambassador

    Phil Hocking is a storyteller, educator, and creative force whose journey spans continents and careers. From teaching in classrooms across Europe and Asia to cooking in vibrant kitchens, Phil has always sought to connect, inspire, and uplift through culture and communication.
     
    Now based in the UK and working as Next Generation Talent Consultant for Lloyds Bank, Phil is a celebrated advocate for inclusion and youth empowerment, recognised as a REACH (Race Ethnic & Cultural Heritage Network) Role Model, Apprentice Ambassador, and BOLD (Black Organisation for Leadership & Development) Regional Lead. His work blends performance, poetry, and public speaking, often spotlighting themes of identity, resilience, and transformation.
     
    Whether mentoring young talent, hosting cultural showcases, or crafting spoken word pieces, Phil brings heart, humour, and humanity to every stage he steps on. He believes in the power of storytelling to change lives—and lives that belief every day.

    Cllr Waseem Zaffar MBE JP 

    Ambassador

    Waseem Zaffar is a social justice campaigner, an advocate for a better environment, a political activist, father of three boys and an excited Aston Villa season ticket holder. Born and bought up in Lozells, he has served as its Councillor since 2011. On Birmingham City Council he has served as the Cabinet lead for transport, environment, clean air, climate change, highways, equalities, social justice, community safety and creating a cohesive city.
    As well as being the Director of Midlands Community Solutions CIC, Waseem is a Board Member of The Active Wellbeing Society and Associate Director of the Clean Air Justice Network.

    Waseem was for many years a Justice of Peace on the Birmingham & Solihull bench, as well as the CEO of a Handsworth not-for-profit organisation. His community work has been recognised by several awards including an MBE for services to the voluntary sector.

    He also served for eight years as a Non-Executive Director of Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, which includes City Hospital, where he was born. At the Trust, he chaired the Charity Funds Committee and Integration Committee. He previously served as a Director of Birmingham International Airport and the West Side Business Improvement District.

    Waseem is Chair of Governors at Heathfield Primary School, which he attended as a child and where his sons are pupils today. Always a proud Brummie, Waseem developed the successful Birmingham Heritage Week which has just completed its tenth year. The projects promote the Birmingham story over many years and the learning, achievements and contributions of the communities that have come, gone and stayed in brilliantly diverse Birmingham.

    During his time on Birmingham City Council, Waseem has led on developing several high profile projects including the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, the Birmingham Transport Plan, Route to Zero Climate Change Action Plan, Perry Barr Transport Transformation, Birmingham Clean Air Strategy and Birmingham Heritage Week.


    Tash Pennant

    Ambassador

    Tash is a trusted advisor, international speaker, and phenomenal connector

    Her effervescent approach to life and business means that she is one of today's leaders that not only says she assists, but motivates other people to support and enrich the lives of others. This is key to what we do at The Young Leaders Club. Tash runs Tash Pennant Consultancy Ltd where she provides support for individuals and businesses to connect to information and opportunities.

    Her experience working across many sectors with leaders to understand organisational challenges means she has unique expertise in understanding people and the know-how to provide solutions which bring transformational success. These skills and qualities are why we are delighted to have Tash join The Young Leaders Club as one of our Ambassadors.

    Allia Khan

    Ambassador

    Allia Khan is a dynamic legal professional and entrepreneur with a proven track record of leadership in the in-house legal sector. As the Head of Legal at a thriving organisation, she combines strategic insight, practical solutions, and a deep commitment to fostering excellence in the workplace. Known for her ability to navigate complex challenges, Allia ensures her teams and clients achieve success with integrity and efficiency.

    Beyond her legal expertise, Allia is the founder of Mansion 28, a luxury fashion brand that redefines boldness and elegance through its striking collections. With Mansion 28, Allia is empowering women to make an impact, blending timeless designs with modern confidence. Passionate about creating spaces for growth and meaningful conversations, Allia frequently speaks on topics such as mental health, work-life balance, and leadership, inspiring others to embrace authenticity and resilience in high-performance environments.

    Her entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her dedication to empowering others, defines her as a thought leader in both the legal and creative industries.
    Santina Bunting

    Santina Bunting

    Ambassador

    Santina Bunting stands out as a trailblazer; she was the only one out of 150 students to embark on an apprenticeship journey after GCSEs. She completed her Level 3 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship at Arup in two years, earning a Distinction*Distinction* in her BTEC. Now a qualified Technician with the Institute of Civil Engineers, Santina is in her second year of a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship at Warwick University whilst also working at Arup
     
    Within her role Santina is responsible for database management, drawing production and engineering analysis and has had the opportunity to work on  a range of major infrastructure projects both nationally and internationally.
     
    Santina was recently the Youngest overall winner of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the year 2024 in its 24-year history as well as Apprentice of the year winner. She was also the Construction Excellence G4C Apprentice of the Year 2024 and won Highly Commended in the Engineering category of the Multicultural apprenticeship awards 2023.
     
    Passionate about empowering apprentices, Santina has spoken at esteemed venues such as the House of Lords and the Annual Apprenticeship Conference, also contributing to the UCAS Apprenticeship Advisory group and the government recent skills for life campaign

    Casey Bailey

    Ambassador

    Casey Bailey is an award winning writer, performer and educator, born and raised in Nechells, Birmingham, UK. Casey was the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 - 2022.

    Casey’s second full poetry collection Please Do Not Touch was published by Burning Eye in 2021. In 2023 ‘Legacy’ - an in depth exploration of 20 years of the Birmingham Grime and Hip Hop scene - co-authored with Jess Monroe was published. Casey’s debut play GrimeBoy had a sold out run at the Birmingham Rep in April, 2022. He was commissioned by the BBC to write ‘The Ballad of The Peaky Blinders’ in 2019. In 2020 the poem was internationally recognised, winning a Webby Award. In 2022 Casey won a Royal Television Society award for a film for his poem “Dear Brum”. Casey has performed his poetry nationally, and internationally.

    Casey was named as one of the Alfred Fagon Awards’ Black Champions of Theatre in 2021. He is a Fellow of the University of Worcester and in 2021 was awarded an honorary doctorate in Education by Newman University.

    Zoe Bennett, BEM

    Ambassador

    Zoe Bennett,BEM, widely known as The Motivational Queen, is an accomplished international speaker and Mindset Resilience Coach, celebrated for her steadfast "never give up" ethos. 

    Specialising in personal mindset development, employability, and entrepreneurship, Zoe has secured numerous contracts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), empowering participants to take charge of their career aspirations. Through her partnership with NatWest, she has also guided countless business owners to elevate their ventures to new heights.

    As the Founder of the star-studded MBCC Awards, which reaches an impressive 3.9 million people and continues to expand annually, Zoe honours unsung heroes while inspiring others to excel. 

    Her TEDx talk motivates audiences to break free from self-limiting beliefs, reinforcing her passion for helping individuals become the best versions of themselves.

    Zoe is also the owner of Training Personified Ltd, a personal development company serving the corporate sector. She delivers impactful programmes on leadership, equity, diversity, inclusion, customer service, conflict and change management, resilience, confidenceThe organisation also manages and delivers contracts for the welfare to work sector, driving participants toward meaningful employment and transformative workplace improvements.