Mercedes nets Sutton Trust partnership

Formula One team Mercedes have announced a new partnership with charitable organisation Sutton Trust. Sutton Trust, who work on social mobility programmes, research and policy influences, will join the team’s Accelerate 25 initiative.

The Accelerate 25 initiative is a five year programme that was announced in 2020 to help Mercedes become more diverse and inclusive as an organisation. Working with Sutton Trust, Mercedes will work on three main areas : Pathways to Engineering, Career Events and Educational Summer School. Sutton Trust students will also visit the team’s headquarters at Brackley and participate in panel debates, university insight sessions and engineering days along with other activities. Mercedes will also participate in residential summer schools to support Sutton Trust’s students with practical workshops and provide them with a chance to engage with Mercedes team members. 

Paul Mills, Chief People Officer at Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd, commented,

“I am delighted to welcome the Sutton Trust as the newest partner for our Accelerate 25 programme. Working together, we hope to enable talented young people to take the next step in progressing their educational ambitions and careers, hopefully encouraging many of these students into the STEM fields through their experiences and interactions with our team. 

‘There is a significant amount of work to do to bridge the education gap for those from disadvantaged groups, and I very much hope the work we do with the Sutton Trust will pave a way for more young people to access a high-quality education.”  

Claire Maton, Head of Employability Programmes at the Sutton Trust, added,

“We are excited to be partnering with Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix to support the ambitious young people in our programmes. Our partnership will enable talented students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to explore what it is like to study and work in science and engineering, as well as build the skills and confidence they need to take their next steps. This will include unique insights into the operations of the Mercedes-AMG team and the expertise that make them so successful. 

‘The chance to open up the world of Formula One racing through one of the leading names in the industry is an incredible opportunity for the Sutton Trust and the students we support, and we very much look forward to working together.”

Sutton Trust was founded by Sir Peter Lampl in 1997 and works towards addressing social mobility issues. Sutton Trust provides high-quality education and employment opportunities to high academic performing students who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.