From Classroom to Boardroom: Bridging Schools and Businesses in Greater Lincolnshire

Bringing education and enterprise closer together is essential to preparing young people for the world of work. 

On Tuesday 9th December, more than 150 delegates gathered at Lincoln Bishop University for the flagship From Classroom to Boardroom event, designed to strengthen meaningful connections between schools and businesses and enhance careers provision across Greater Lincolnshire.

The event brought together careers leaders, headteachers, sixth form leads, employers from the Careers Hub network, Enterprise Advisers and Cornerstone Employers. Newland Partners Ltd provided facilitation support throughout the day. The focus was clear: to strengthen strategic employer engagement that delivers real value for young people and local businesses.

National Careers Insight and Local Collaboration Supporting Local Employer Engagement

The day opened with a keynote from John Yarham, CEO of the Careers & Enterprise Company, who explored the national careers education landscape and highlighted the growing importance of employer engagement in preparing young people for future careers.

This was followed by a practical “Marketing Mindset” session from Dan Lamoon, helping schools rethink how they communicate their value to businesses and build stronger, longer-term relationships. Interactive workshops then encouraged schools and employers to clarify their “Why, How and What”, turning shared purpose into clear action plans for future engagement.

Later in the day, a panel discussion explored how strategic intent can translate into measurable careers activity. Dedicated networking sessions then followed, helping participants break down barriers, share solutions and spark new partnerships across the region.

Why Employer Engagement in Careers Education Matters and the Impact Ahead

Bridging the gap between education and enterprise gives young people access to meaningful employer encounters and clearer pathways into local industries. At the same time, businesses can shape future talent, strengthen local skills pipelines and support long-term regional economic growth.

The impact is already taking shape. In the short term, schools report greater confidence when engaging employers, alongside new partnerships and practical plans now in place. Over the longer term, the initiative is expected to drive sustained school–business relationships, stronger alignment with the Gatsby Benchmarks, and improved awareness of local career opportunities. Together, these outcomes will help reduce skills gaps in key sectors.