Building the Network

EY, one of the largest professional services networks in the world, has been partnering with the Refugee Employment Network (REN) since 2021. Now in its fourth year, staff at EY have dedicated approximately 6,000 volunteer hours to help support refugees into meaningful employment. Helping them rebuild their lives and their careers.

“We set out to bring the strength of the private sector to the challenge of building a sustainable infrastructure for refugee socio-economic integration, collaborating with the public sector, our communities, our  clients and our people”. Dr Seema Farazi, EY (Sponsoring Partner)

Since the collaboration began, nearly 10 EY employees have been seconded to REN for periods of 3 to 6 months in a full-time capacity. Their contributions have been instrumental in establishing strong foundations, integrating digital platforms and systems to connect refugees with live job vacancies, and developing impact evaluation frameworks and strategic plans. For a small charity like REN, this expert, long-term support has been invaluable.

“Working with REN, through my secondment at EY, has been a deeply rewarding and heartwarming experience. Organising job fairs for refugees was truly eye-opening, highlighting both the challenges they face and the opportunities that can change lives. This has made me more thoughtful and empathetic, especially in managing stakeholder relationships and understanding individuals from diverse backgrounds at EY and with our clients. It has deepened my ability to lead with compassion, recognise the importance of inclusive leadership, and appreciate the tangible impact organisations like REN can have on individual lives and communities.”

Gunarjun Chawla, Manager, EY (Secondee from Jan -July 2024)

EY’s invaluable support for REN from 2021 to 2024 has included:

Hosting and supporting 9 job fairs (including in Aberdeen, Belfast, London and Birmingham), 3 annual summits, and additional events across the UK, which engaged directly with over 2,000 refugees. Notably, 70% of attendees at the job fairs said that they would make two or more job applications.

Extensive website development to build and manage a dynamic jobs board, featuring over 17,500 listings from 550 employers. This led to 350 known applications, although the figure is most likely higher.

Establishing partnerships with 45 companies, resulting in 137 referrals and 120 successful mentoring matches for refugees. Over half of which led to positive outcomes for refugees.

Building a membership network from scratch, which now comprises over 400+ members. These members include corporate, non-profit, council, and social sectors – all of which are pivotal for connecting REN with refugees.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone at EY who has volunteered to support REN and to help refugees rebuild their careers and their lives in the UK. With EY’s support, we have achieved so much in the last three years and we’re excited to continue this impactful partnership to see where the next three years lead.”

 Jenny Walton, Chief Executive at REN

“It has been a truly transformative journey, one that underscores the power of collaboration, the need to create meaningful opportunities, and the role organisations like REN can play in changing lives.”

Gunarjun Chawla, Manager, EY (Secondee from Jan -July 2024)