UK Business Leaders Pledge Jobs for Homeless Youth

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Several major British companies, including Pret A Manger, B&Q, Ikea, and Lloyd’s, have pledged to offer jobs, work experience, and mentorship to young people at risk of homelessness through the New Employment Opportunities Network (Neon), part of the Royal Foundation’s Homewards scheme. The initiative aims to expand across the UK to reduce youth homelessness by fostering sustainable employment pathways through business leadership and cross-sector collaboration.

Several prominent British companies have committed to providing employment opportunities for young people at risk of homelessness through a new initiative supported by the Prince of Wales. The programme, known as the New Employment Opportunities Network (Neon), operates under the Royal Foundation’s Homewards scheme, which aims to address homelessness across six regions of the UK.

Participating companies include Pret A Manger, B&Q, Ikea, and Lloyd’s, which have pledged to offer jobs, work experience placements, and mentorship to individuals aged 16 to 24 facing housing insecurity. Pret A Manger’s chief executive, Pano Christou, who took over as chair of Neon earlier this year, will oversee the network’s expansion following a successful pilot programme in Belfast.

Homewards, launched in 2023 as a five-year commitment, brings together public, private, and voluntary sector organizations to form coalitions dedicated to ending homelessness. The Neon model draws on employment advisory boards originally developed by Lord Timpson for supporting ex-convicts, adapting this structure to connect local employers with charities and community groups focused on homelessness prevention.

Christou emphasized the role business leaders can play: “The whole goal is to get business leaders talking to business leaders about how to eradicate homelessness.” He also highlighted the dual benefits of the initiative, noting that while social mobility is a critical component, offering employment to this demographic also makes good business sense. According to Christou, with the right support, young people at risk of homelessness can contribute significant value to the workplace.

The scheme has seen positive feedback from participating companies. Michaela Quinlan, market manager at Ikea Belfast and one of Neon Northern Ireland’s co-chairs, described the young people involved as highly motivated and eager to work in supportive environments. Likewise, Cat McCusker, who leads Homewards in Northern Ireland, noted that the pilot demonstrated how preventing homelessness through employment is not only ethically important but also advantageous for businesses.

As Neon prepares to broaden its reach within the UK, organisers aim to leverage business leadership and cross-sector partnerships to create sustainable employment pathways, with the ultimate goal of reducing youth homelessness nationwide.

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