It's becoming increasingly acknowledged that boosting diversity and social mobility isn't just a good thing to do, but a strategic business imperative for growth and an improved bottom line.

Universities have the power to turbo-charge social mobility in the communities they reach.

In fact, given the UK’s dire social mobility record, they have a responsibility to do so.

Weak social mobility is a global crisis, it was declared at Davos this week. While some nations are better than others in fostering social mobility, most are generally poor, the World Economic Forum (WEF) concluded.

From the Labour leadership race to the Conservatives new northern MPs looking to cement their positions, the race is now on politically to take a lead on levelling up opportunity across the UK.

Any business not taking its responsibilities to the wider world seriously could be increasingly in trouble in 2020.

For the clock is ticking on corporations that haven’t yet put genuine purpose at the heart of their operations.

2019 has been a big and successful year for the Social Mobility Pledge. With over 400 organisations, covering three million employees and one million students, now signed up to the Pledge, together we are spreading opportunity throughout Britain.

Most adults in the UK wish they had tried harder at school to achieve a better career, while 31 per cent believe they selected the wrong university course, a study by the Social Mobility Pledge shows.

One of the most pressing issues facing the next generation is poor levels of social mobility. In this blog I want to highlight the challenges we face in boosting social mobility across the country and some potential solutions.

The Social Mobility Pledge’s founder, Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, has been recognised for her work in tackling the UK’s poor record on social mobility.

It is 18 months since I launched the Social Mobility Pledge in Westminster. So much has changed in that time but the progress we have made, with your support, stands out above all else.

Social mobility, to me, isn’t just an empty phrase, it’s something that has defined my life.

I grew up in Wester Hailes, just south-west of Edinburgh. It's an area that has proud roots in industry, and of course in football - die hard supporters of our beloved Hearts.

We live in a divided country.

But not the type of division that you’re thinking about - the one that seems to be continuously splashed across the headlines, hogging political discourse and dragging on all too long. In fact, I won’t even mention the B-word!

Financial technology firm True Potential was one of the first businesses to sign the Social Mobility Pledge, founded by Justine Greening MP and David Harrison of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility.

As soon as I walked through the doors of Dundas House I knew this was nothing like what I was used to. A place that always smells like coffee and biscuits, and you can’t walk down a corridor without saying “hello, good morning” more times than feels normal.

We are on the cusp of immense change, and as in any time of change, a window of opportunity arises. The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, when it happens, will be this window of opportunity.

In the Midlands we have a proud history as pioneers across a range of industries. It was here in the 1800s that our region became the birthplace of the industrial revolution.

Social Mobility Pledge founder, Justine Greening MP, visited Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in April to launch a report setting out recommendations on how to improve access to and participation in higher education.

One of Yorkshire’s longest established businesses has signed up to the Social Mobility Pledge and is playing a crucial role in boosting social mobility, pledging to offer as many opportunities as possible to people from all backgrounds.

“I applied for an apprenticeship because I wanted to expand my knowledge. I prefer tactile learning which is exactly what an apprenticeship allows you to do. One of the best things about an apprenticeship is you can earn and learn simultaneously.”

Universities should be measured on the impact they have on social mobility, according to research that we have carried out at the Social Mobility Pledge.