Programme One
Programme One is a UK non-profit coalition of 16 recruitment agencies founded in 2020 to address the underrepresentation of Black talent in the recruitment sector, offering free mentoring, career placement, and diversity-data publishing to Black candidates and partner agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Programme One does
Programme One is a UK-based non-profit initiative, founded in November 2020 and structured as a company limited by guarantee (Company Number 13599363), headquartered at 4th Floor, 120 Aldersgate Street, London. It operates as a coalition of 16 UK recruitment agencies — doubled from the original eight founders — committed to addressing the underrepresentation of Black talent within the recruitment sector. The organisation serves two counterparties: Black individuals seeking careers in recruitment (free of charge) and UK recruitment agencies that commit to Programme One's four strategic objectives (embedding a Diversity, Inclusion and Respect strategy, removing hiring barriers, providing mentorship, and widening talent attraction) in exchange for access to a curated talent pool of recruiters identifying as having Black heritage.
The core product surface comprises the Programme One coalition platform, a 12-month Mentoring Scheme (monthly sessions, quarterly feedback, mentee-led goal setting), an Employee Heritage Data Publishing initiative that surfaces partner-agency diversity statistics, and recruitment-career guidance content for prospective candidates. There is no proprietary technology stack; operations rely on standard web infrastructure, LinkedIn and TikTok for outreach, in-person panel events, and direct candidate outreach managed by a Lead Career Outreach Consultant (Jasmine Alexander, joined September 2023). The core technology field is explicitly self-described as 'not a technology company'.
The business model is non-commercial by design: partner agencies commit to strategic objectives rather than pay membership fees, and candidates receive the service at no cost. Reported outcomes through April 2024 include 82 Black recruiters supported into the sector, 50 individuals placed in Recruitment Consultant roles, a 100% retention rate among placed candidates, and a stated strategic ambition of placing 500 Black recruiters annually. The initiative is governance-supported by three named advisors (Baroness McGregor-Smith CBE, Lenna Cumberbatch, Gary Elden OBE) and won the 2023 Recruiter Investing Awards 'Best Industry Group Advocacy Initiative'.
Programme One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Programme One
- Legal name
- Programme One
- Website
- https://programmeone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Programme One is a UK non-profit coalition of 16 recruitment agencies founded in 2020 to address the underrepresentation of Black talent in the recruitment sector, offering free mentoring, career placement, and diversity-data publishing to Black candidates and partner agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Programme One industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Diversity & Inclusion Services
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Workforce, Employability & Youth Skills Partnerships (EDADALAI), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), Education, Skills & Workforce Development Aid Programs (BPADABAE)
Keywords
Where Programme One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Programme One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Agency Partnership Membership: Partner agencies commit to Programme One's strategic ambitions and four strategic objectives in exchange for access to a talent pool of Black recruiters and diversity support services.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Programme One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Programme One is a UK non-profit initiative that connects Black talent with recruitment career opportunities through a coalition of 16 partner recruitment agencies. It delivers direct candidate outreach, a 12-month mentoring scheme, networking events, and transparent employee heritage data publishing to address the underrepresentation of Black talent within the recruitment sector.
Product overview
Programme One is a unified initiative platform comprising a coalition of recruitment agencies committed to addressing Black talent underrepresentation. The core offering includes the Programme One Platform for agency partnerships, a 12-Month Mentoring Scheme for Black recruiters, Employee Heritage Data Publishing for transparency, and Recruitment Career Guidance for candidates. These components work together to attract, retain, and progress Black talent within the recruitment industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Programme One Partner Coalition Coalition platform of UK recruitment agencies committed to addressing Black talent underrepresentation in the recruitment industry. Member agencies commit to four strategic objectives and gain access to a curated talent pool of 10,000+ Black recruiters, diversity strategy support, networking events, and transparent heritage data benchmarking.
- 12-Month Mentoring Scheme Structured 12-month mentoring programme for Black individuals entering the recruitment sector. Mentees are matched with mentors from different partner agencies, with monthly mentoring sessions, quarterly feedback, and goal-setting support delivered in a safe learning environment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% retention rate across candidates placed with partner agencies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Programme One
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Programme One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Programme One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.
- Deverell SmithcoreOne of the original 8 founding agencies of Programme One in November 2020. Partner agency with current opportunities for new recruitment consultants. 7.3% of employees self-identify as having Black heritage.
- Franklin FitchcoreAward-winning partner agency within Programme One network. Committed to Programme One's strategic ambition and four strategic objectives for addressing Black talent underrepresentation.
- Goodman MassoncorePartner agency that collaborated with Programme One to host the first in-person panel event in October 2024 for Black History Month. 10.7% of employees self-identify as having Black heritage.
- AspirecorePartner agency publishing diversity data showing 5.3-6.5% of employees self-identifying as having Black heritage. Committed to Programme One's strategic objectives.
- BruincorePartner agency with 6.5% of employees self-identifying as having Black heritage. Active participant in Programme One's diversity initiatives.
- CMcorePartner agency with 8.1% of employees self-identifying as having Black heritage. Committed to Programme One's diversity goals.
- GravitascorePartner agency with 5% of employees self-identifying as having Black heritage. Committed to widening talent attraction methods.
- Spencer OgdencorePartner agency within Programme One network offering opportunities for new recruitment consultants to join their team.
- Baroness McGregor-Smith CBEsupportiveHigh-profile advocate for Programme One. Conducted the 'Race in the Workplace' government review. Provides public endorsement: 'Programme One provides an important catalyst for change. Recruitment is the gateway to employment and recruiters hold the keys.'
- Lenna CumberbatchsupportiveNon Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Respect for Programme One. Supports Programme One's mission to challenge bias and improve equality of opportunity.
- Gary Elden OBEsupportiveNon Executive Advisor to Programme One. Supports the initiative's strategic ambitions for recruitment diversity.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Programme One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Prince's Trust: The Prince's Trust is a major UK youth charity supporting education, employment and training for disadvantaged young people. Comparable as a UK-based non-profit talent-development organisation with employer partnerships, though much larger and broader in remit.
- Business in the Community: Business in the Community is a UK business-led membership organisation promoting responsible business and workplace inclusion. Comparable as a UK employer-coalition driving D&I outcomes, with a much broader agenda and larger membership base.
- The Diversity Project: The Diversity Project is a UK asset-management industry initiative promoting inclusion and diversity. Comparable in spirit as a sector-specific UK D&I coalition of employers with collective action goals, though operating in financial services rather than recruitment.
Regional players
- Reuben Sinclair: Reuben Sinclair is a UK BAME-founded recruitment agency with D&I specialism. Comparable as a UK recruitment-sector player focused on BAME talent outcomes, though operating as a commercial recruiter rather than a non-profit coalition.
Direct peers
- The 10,000 Interns Foundation: The 10,000 Interns Foundation creates paid internship opportunities for underrepresented groups across UK industries. Comparable as a UK diversity-talent pipeline with employer-partner coalition and named placement targets.
- Rare Recruitment: Rare Recruitment is a UK recruitment and selection firm specialising in placing Black and minority ethnic candidates into professional roles. Directly comparable in targeting Black talent for recruitment-sector outcomes, although operating as a commercial recruiter rather than a non-profit.
- SEO London: SEO London is a UK charity providing career access, mentoring and internship pipelines for Black and minority ethnic students into professional careers. Highly comparable as a UK-based diversity-talent pipeline with a coalition of employer partners and structured mentoring.
- The Taylor Bennett Foundation: The Taylor Bennett Foundation runs mentoring and career-development programs for BAME individuals seeking careers in communications and PR in the UK. Comparable as a sector-specific BAME talent-pipeline programme with structured mentorship and employer partnerships.
Emerging players
- Street League: Street League is a UK charity using sport to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment and training. Comparable in offering structured UK talent pipelines into work with employer engagement, though focused on youth sports-to-employment pathways.
- Prospects Foundation / Shaw Trust: Shaw Trust is a UK charity supporting employment for disadvantaged and disabled people through training and placement programmes. Comparable as a UK employment-focused charity with structured training-to-placement pipelines, though broader in beneficiary group.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Programme One social profiles
Digital presenceProgramme One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Programme One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Programme One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Programme One M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Programme One
What does Programme One do?
Programme One is a UK non-profit initiative that connects Black talent with recruitment career opportunities through a coalition of 16 partner recruitment agencies. It delivers direct candidate outreach, a 12-month mentoring scheme, networking events, and transparent employee heritage data publishing to address the underrepresentation of Black talent within the recruitment sector.
Is Programme One a public or private company?
Programme One is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Programme One founded?
Programme One was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Programme One based?
Programme One is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Programme One make money?
One revenue line is on record: agency Partnership Membership.
Who are Programme One's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Prince's Trust, Business in the Community and The Diversity Project. Reuben Sinclair is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are The 10,000 Interns Foundation, Rare Recruitment, SEO London and The Taylor Bennett Foundation. Emerging players are Street League and Prospects Foundation / Shaw Trust.
Does Programme One have an API?
No public API is recorded for Programme One.
What industry is Programme One in?
Programme One's product category is Diversity & Inclusion Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAKAL, Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAKAA, Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 7361.