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BNY and Breaking Barriers: Five years of partnership

A guest blog by Robin Savchuk, Global Funding Executive at BNY, reflecting on our innovative and impactful work together.

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Robin Savchuk, Global Funding Executive at BNY

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At BNY, a commitment to service and citizenship has guided our philanthropy for over two centuries. Our focus on advancing an Inclusive Economy is exemplified by our social mobility work with Breaking Barriers since 2019, dedicated to supporting refugees in the UK as they overcome barriers to employment. This partnership has evolved over time but consistently reflects our core values.

2020: Laying the foundation

We began by learning about the challenges refugees face, such as employment gaps, unrecognized qualifications, and limited UK work experience. Many highly skilled refugees are forced to start over in entry-level jobs, often underpaid and overqualified. Recognizing these obstacles, we funded Breaking Barriers’ programme to support underemployed refugees, helping 163 Breaking Barriers clients in 2020 alone.

BNY also engaged employees in volunteering efforts:

  • Delivered a networking masterclass to help refugees improve their confidence.
  • We arranged one-on-one meetings between refugees and BNY volunteers in similar professions.
  • A panel event titled “Hope, Aspiration, and Perseverance” offered refugee clients valuable insights into UK job roles and provided networking opportunities.

2021-2022: Gaining momentum

Building on early success, we expanded our support to unemployed refugees through Breaking Barriers’ core services, offering personalized 1:1 employment advice, of which the latter programme was accessed by 306 refugee clients between March 2021 – March 2022.

BNY employees contributed by:

  • Delivering a remote, six-week IT and Numeracy course, with four employees volunteering as 1:1 teaching assistants.
  • Volunteering as mentors, sharing career insights to help refugees understand sectors such as HR, business management, and IT.

It was good to discuss options and solutions with the [refugee] clients and share experiences. It was also very interesting to hear some of the challenges that they face in their careers which we can take back into our organisations as we think about the future and how we recruit and attract talent.

Employee volunteer

In 2022, Breaking Barriers expanded to Manchester, a strategic growth location for BNY, allowing us to engage more employees and foster collaborations with 25 other businesses in the region.

2023-2024: Innovating together

In the last two years, we’ve continued funding Breaking Barriers’ wider employment and education programmes, which in their latest financial year (June 2023 – May 2024), supported 1,247 refugee clients. This is the highest number of refugee clients the organisation has supported in their history.

We also continued facilitating IT and Numeracy courses, but also introduced new initiatives:

  • BNY volunteers helped run three job fairs.
  • Group sessions were offered to refugees aspiring to enter financial services, with tailored CV support and sector insights.
  • We hosted a fireside chat featuring BNY’s Head of International, Hani Kablawi, Breaking Barriers’ then-CEO, Matt Powell, and other leaders. Refugee participants shared stories, shedding light on challenges faced in rebuilding careers.
  • Our partnership began pivoting towards ‘Financial Inclusion,’ aiming to expand access to knowledge in the finance sector for refugee clients.
  • Seven employees became long-term volunteers, with five mentoring younger refugees interested in careers at BNY.

We also helped pilot Breaking Barriers’ speed mentoring initiative, providing 1:1 guidance to refugees on accessing the financial services sector.

Reflections from Breaking Barriers

Since BNY began supporting our work in 2019, our relationship has just gone from strength to strength. They are an invaluable and loyal partner not just because of the essential funding they give but also the part their employees play in helping our refugee clients build skills and confidence, paving the way for meaningful employment. I can't mention BNY without also acknowledging our wonderful Breaking Barriers champion Hani Kablawi, a former board member and a cherished friend of Breaking Barriers. His continued and unwavering commitment to our work and our clients is so highly valued by all of us.

Ciara Devlin, CEO, Breaking Barriers

Key insights for businesses starting their journey

  • Senior Leadership Buy-In: Having high-level advocates with a personal connection to refugee work, greatly strengthens the partnership.
  • Learning from Experts: Partnering with a specialist charity has allowed us to make a more significant impact, while providing employees with opportunities for meaningful engagement.
  • Embrace Innovation: Supporting pilot activities has diversified our volunteering efforts and helped Breaking Barriers develop new programs.
  • Tailored Support: Identifying areas where your organization can provide the most value—whether through financial donations, pro bono services, or volunteering—ensures a meaningful partnership.

Looking to the future

As we celebrate five years of partnership with Breaking Barriers, we are proud of the impact we have achieved in supporting refugees to rebuild their lives through employment. Our collaboration exemplifies the power of combining purpose with action, and we are committed to continuing this journey, empowering individuals and transforming communities for years to come.

Hani Kablawi, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of International

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