The Talent Foundry Cycle Challenge Consortium

Client: The Talent Foundry

The Cycle Challenge Consortium is a unique partnership between The Talent Foundry (TTF), the Department for Education, and built environment companies Morgan Sindall Construction, Willmott Dixon, Reds10, Wates Group, Mott MacDonald, Flywheel IT Services, and Nexus Associates. Created in 2019, it brings together companies that would ordinarily compete for contracts, united instead by a shared commitment to making education the best it can be for young people in under-served communities.

Through the consortium, members contribute to more than the buildings they construct; they directly support the opportunities and pathways that increase social mobility for the young people learning within them, while raising over £250,000 through six, annual, multi-day cycling challenges involving more than 120 participants and strengthening collaboration across the education and construction sectors.

The collaboration has also sparked long-term additional partnership activity: Morgan Sindall Construction sponsors additional UK rides; Reds10 co-delivers a Construction T-Level programme; and Flywheel IT Services provided pro-bono IT support for two years.

Success is measured through funds raised, participant feedback and programme outcomes. The benefits include stronger cross-sector partnerships, increased staff engagement and wellbeing, enhanced organisational capacity, and life-changing opportunities for young people. It is a partnership built on shared purpose, commitment and social impact.