What Migrant Leaders does

Migrant Leaders is an independent UK registered charity (Charity Commission registration number 1176049), operated by The Fardad Foundation and founded in 2017 by Elham Fardad. Its flagship Migrant Leaders Development Programme provides free mentoring, capability and leadership workshops, conferences, and quality work experiences to first and second-generation migrants aged 16-25 across the United Kingdom. The three integrated programme pillars are one-to-one mentoring from Director-grade executives at FTSE100 and leading firms, in-person and virtual leadership events, and a digital learning layer delivered through the Digital Zone platform and a mobile app launched in April 2024.

The charity's technology stack is built primarily on third-party platforms: Kajabi powers the Digital Zone learning environment and content management, Salesforce is used as the CRM for beneficiary management, Eventbrite handles event registration, and Cappfinity provides Strengths Profile assessments. A custom mobile application, launched in April 2024, speeds mentor-mentee matching, supports multiple mentors per mentee, and pushes event and corporate opportunity notifications. Supporting programme lines include the Mentee Mentor scheme for primary school children, the EduTech Kids digital inclusion initiative launched during Covid-19, the Young Leaders Panel youth advisory group, and the Leaders Like Us mentor interview campaign.

Migrant Leaders is funded by corporate sponsorships and partnerships (with named partners including Amazon, BP, Barclays, Pfizer, Salesforce, Kantar, Anglo American, Smith & Nephew, Verian, Clifford Chance, and Informa), individual donations and book proceeds, and grants including Covid-19 era funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. More than 90% of income is reinvested directly into programme delivery. The programme is free for beneficiaries; the charity monetises only via its corporate partner and donor base. The organisation reports 925+ senior volunteer mentors drawn from more than 95 FTSE100 and leading firms, and is led by Founder & CEO Elham Fardad with a Trustees Board that includes Saeed Atcha MBE DL.

Name

Migrant Leaders

Legal name

The Fardad Foundation

Website

https://migrantleaders.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Migrant Leaders is a UK charity operating a free mentoring, workshop and work-experience programme for 16-25 year-old first and second-generation migrants, delivered through 925+ volunteer FTSE100 mentors and a Digital Zone learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentoring and Leadership Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Child and Youth Services (62411), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH), Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Leadership development programs
• Social mobility charity
• Migrant career support
• Corporate mentoring partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Rickmansworth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial and in-kind support through workshops, work experiences, internships, and mentoring opportunities. More than 90% of income is invested directly in delivering the programme for young people.
2. Donations and Charitable Grants: Individual donations and grants from charitable foundations including The National Lottery Community Fund. The Fardad Foundation (parent charity) supports operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Migrant Leaders is a UK registered charity that runs the Migrant Leaders Development Programme for 16-25 year old first and second-generation migrants, combining mentoring from Director-grade FTSE 100 executives, leadership workshops and conferences, and a digital programme (Digital Zone + mobile app). The programme is delivered free of charge to eligible beneficiaries and is funded through corporate partnerships, donations, and grants.

Product overview

Migrant Leaders operates a unified mentorship and development ecosystem centered on the Migrant Leaders Development Programme for 16-25 year old first and second generation migrants. The programme provides three integrated pillars: Director-grade executive mentoring from FTSE 100 companies, capability and leadership workshops and conferences, and a digital programme. The Digital Zone serves as the online learning hub featuring Young Leader Modules and resilience training, accessible via both web and the Migrant Leaders App (launched 2024). Supporting initiatives include the Mentee Mentor scheme, EduTech Kids digital inclusion programme, the Young Leaders Panel youth advisory group, and the Leaders Like Us mentor interview campaign. The programme is complemented by corporate work experience and internship opportunities through partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital Zone: An online platform sharing the charity's resources, guidance and Young Leader modules as a framework for quality mentoring conversations.
• Young Leader Modules
• Mentee Mentor
• EduTech Kids

Products and services

• Migrant Leaders Development Programme A comprehensive mentorship and leadership development programme for 16-25 year old first and second-generation migrants, providing three core components: mentoring from Director-grade executives at FTSE 100 and leading firms, capability and leadership workshops and conferences, and access to a digital programme. Provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries.
• Digital Zone An online platform providing access to leadership development resources, Young Leader modules, resilience training, and career guidance content for mentees and mentors. Built on Kajabi.
• Migrant Leaders App Mobile application that speeds the mentor connection process, allows users to have multiple mentors, and delivers event details and corporate opportunities directly to users' phones.
• Mentee Mentor Scheme A charity mentoring scheme pairing highest-achieving university mentees with primary school children for digital sessions, providing mentoring, role modelling, and Maths/English tutoring in after school clubs.
• EduTech Kids A scheme addressing digital poverty by providing laptops, smartphones, and other digital equipment to disadvantaged primary and secondary school households.
• Migrant Magic (Book)

Quantifiable outcome

• Only 1.3% of FTSE100 Board Directors are migrants, and almost all were privately educated - Migrant Leaders addresses this pipeline gap through early intervention
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• BaringasupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Panel discussion and networking event with Senior Consultants covering consultancy careers, recruitment processes, and building professional confidence.
• TÜV RheinlandsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Introduction to Careers in STEM and Sustainability careers insight event at TÜV Rheinland's London office with hands-on group challenge workshop.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Multi-year partnership delivering Step Up Work Experience Programme. Mentees gain insight into industries, career pathways, and capabilities required to thrive. Includes Amazon Creatives virtual work experience for aspiring creatives.
• InformacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Expanding partnership providing access to London Tech Week, The AI Summit, and summer internship opportunities in events, strategy, publishing, and corporate development at London Living Wage.
• GenpactsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership providing mentorship, skills workshops, and career development initiatives in digital transformation and business process management.
• PfizersupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Exclusive full-day experience at Pfizer's UK commercial headquarters in Walton Oaks, Tadworth, Surrey. Includes career stories, workshops, and networking with professionals across multiple business functions.
• HempsonssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Careers in Law work experience opportunity for Year 12 students in Manchester. Two-day in-person programme at Hempsons' Manchester office.
• ComputacentersupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025FTSE 250 technology services company partnership delivering Business Challenge Day with warehouse tours, real-world business challenges, and career insights.
• QuantMinds InternationalsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Official charity partner for QuantMinds International, one of the world's leading conferences for quantitative finance professionals.
• HotwiresupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with leading technology communications agency to deliver Careers in PR Workshop at Hotwire's London headquarters.
• BPcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Multi-year partnership delivering paid work experience weeks and career insight programmes in the energy sector.
• Verian (formerly Kantar Public)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Six-year partnership (since 2021) delivering five week-long immersion sessions with 24 interns. Includes practical research tasks, senior leadership interactions, and exploration of social research careers.
• BarclayscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024First collaboration with Barclays Investment Bank delivering a half-day conference with career stories, networking, and Barclays Life Skills workshop.
• Clifford ChancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Insight day programme including introduction to the firm, practice areas, values and culture, career carousel, networking, and pathways advice.
• IlluminasupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership bringing insights on genetic sequencing and biotechnology careers through events and workshops showcasing life sciences innovation.
• IpsoscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to boost diversity in social research through insights days, workshops, and mentoring circles events. Features sessions on market research, career guidance, and professional networking.
• SalesforcecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Ongoing collaboration at Salesforce Tower delivering AI workshops, career insights, visualisation sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Sparta GlobalsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership supporting Ukrainian refugees and providing skills development and career opportunities for programme beneficiaries.
• ACCAsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to find and develop the next generation of talent for the accountancy profession.
• ABBsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Engineering internship partnership delivering onsite internship opportunities for Migrant Leaders engineering mentees.
• Westcon-ComstorsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021First hybrid internship programme delivered as a 3-day experience introducing technology distribution careers.
• Granger ReissupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021One-year paid upskilling internship collaboration for Migrant Leaders mentees in higher education.
• CappfinitysupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Partnership to provide Strengths Profile assessments to all Migrant Leaders mentors and mentees through the Digital Zone.
• Varsity ScholarssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Education conference collaboration providing expert guidance on university applications, communication, and presentation skills training.
• Anglo AmericancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Multi-year corporate partnership providing access to corporate conferences, work experiences, and mentoring opportunities. The partnership has delivered the 'Access to Corporates' programme bringing insights and connections to large corporates.
• Smith & NephewcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Award-winning partnership (SOMOs Award) delivering STEM conferences, workshops, and work experience programmes. Delivered the first 'STEM' conference with presentations, speed STEM sessions, and product demos.
• KantarcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Multi-year partnership spanning Kantar Consulting, Kantar Insights, Kantar Public, and Kantar Media divisions. Delivered virtual internships, conferences, and workshops on consulting, marketing, research, and policy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/migrantleaders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzJ
• Facebookfacebook.com/MigrantLeaders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/migrant-leaders
• Instagraminstagram.com/migrantleaders

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Migrant Leaders