Jonathan Bowers, chief executive of the 10,000 Interns Foundation, has delivered a powerful message to the financial sector: inequality is not an unavoidable reality. In an exclusive interview with Financial News, Bowers outlined how his organisation is creating meaningful change through its ambitious internship programmes.
The Foundation's Groundbreaking Mission
The 10,000 Interns Foundation operates two parallel initiatives that are reshaping access to Britain's competitive financial and professional services. The original 10,000 Black Interns programme has now been joined by 10,000 Able Interns, focusing on opportunities for disabled students and graduates.
Bowers revealed the foundation's remarkable reach, stating that more than 200 firms across banking, asset management, law, and other professional services have committed to participating. These include major players like Schroders, Morgan Stanley, and Macfarlanes, demonstrating widespread industry recognition of the diversity challenge.
"Inequality is not inevitable," Bowers asserted during the interview. "What we're proving through these programmes is that when you create structured pathways and remove barriers, talent from underrepresented groups can thrive in our industry."
Confronting the Data Deficit
One of the most significant challenges the foundation addresses is the lack of comprehensive diversity data within financial services. Bowers highlighted how many firms struggle to even measure their progress, making meaningful change difficult to track and implement.
The programmes have already made substantial impact, with thousands of internships created since the initiative's launch. Beyond simply placing interns, the foundation provides extensive support including training, mentorship, and networking opportunities that continue beyond the initial placement period.
Bowers emphasised that this isn't merely about corporate social responsibility. "This is about business performance and innovation. Diverse teams make better decisions, and our partner firms are seeing this firsthand through the exceptional talent we're helping them access."
Building Sustainable Change
The foundation's approach extends beyond short-term internships. They're focused on creating lasting career pathways and ensuring that participants receive ongoing support throughout their professional journey.
Recent data from the financial sector shows that while progress has been made, significant work remains. Representation of Black professionals in senior roles remains disproportionately low, and accessibility for disabled professionals continues to present challenges.
Bowers remains optimistic about the future, noting that the commitment from top firms continues to grow. The foundation has expanded its reach beyond London, with participating companies across the UK recognising the value of tapping into previously overlooked talent pools.
As the programmes continue to scale, Bowers believes they're creating a blueprint for how industries can address diversity challenges systematically. "This isn't about charity; it's about recognising that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We're working to change that equation."
