ivan menezes

Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes has become chairman of youth employment group Movement to Work, taking over from former M&S head Marc Bolland.

Bolland formed the coalition of 240 employers, which is focused on tackling youth unemployment through vocational training and work placements, in 2013.

The group is backed by the Government, the TUC and the CBI, and has already provided 59,000 placements, with well over 50% of participants moving into employment or returning to education.

The organisation focuses on those who need the most help, including those who may have lost the confidence to seek work or who live in economically disadvantaged areas.

“Training our young people and helping them into work must be an imperative for all businesses that want to succeed, especially as our labour market evolves after Britain leaves the European Union,” said Menezes.

“Through Movement to Work, we are able to provide the experience, skills and confidence to help young unemployed people support themselves, their communities and ultimately society as a whole.”

Bolland said: “As chairman since the Movement’s inception, I am proud of the impact we have collectively made so far on transforming over 59,000 young lives. I sincerely thank the leaders of the 240-plus employers and delivery partners, their staff, volunteers and the central programme team, all of whom work tirelessly to make our aims a reality.”