Get In
- We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. By widening access, refining recruitment and embedding equity into everything we do, we will ensure opportunity is open to all.
Our Social Promise
Be part of the promise
We believe in changing lives for the better. That’s why we are committed to achieving our Mission to a Million: Forward Together goals by 2030. Improving socio-economic outcomes is our guiding principle.
We have already positively impacted the lives of more than 500,000 people through job creation, education, training and meaningful charitable engagement, and we’re building on that progress. Guided by our four pillars – Get In, Get On, Get Involved, and Get Supported – we are committed to turning ambition into measurable impact for our colleagues and the communities we serve.
Supporting over 500,000 people in the past four years fills us with pride and motivates us to keep making a real difference. During that time, we have learnt so much, and now is the ideal time to enhance our programme further, to ensure we are doing all that we can to continue to improve the outcomes for people both within and outside our organisation.
By embedding socio-economic outcomes into all our programmes, as well as leveraging our scale, we are able to support tens of thousands of people every year, whether it’s through learning and development, upskilling, providing work or work experience, as well as supporting local initiatives in the communities in which we work.
Chief People Officer
Our Social Promise Charter
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Get On
- From frontline roles to senior leadership, our pathways will be open, transparent and fair. We will establish mentorship programmes and targeted support to ensure that historically underrepresented groups can thrive.
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Get Involved
- Our responsibility extends beyond our business. With the strength of more than 55,000 colleagues, we will champion initiatives that improve health, nutrition and community wellbeing.
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Get Supported
- Support must be tangible and consistent. We will create a workplace where fairness, dignity, and well-being are non-negotiable.
I’ve learnt so much since completing the Junior Chef Academy and joining ESS as an apprentice. In addition to my training, which has covered a range of cookery skills and techniques, I’ve grown as a person and am now much more confident. I’ve now completed my Level 2 apprenticeship and competed in several competitions, which are great for getting out of your comfort zone. I love working as part of a team, and I can’t thank my colleagues enough for everything they’ve taught me.
ESS Commis Chef
We’ve only just scratched the surface of the Forward programme, but the experience so far has been outstanding. One thing that has stood out is the people – a group of chefs coming together, bonding over a mutual love and enthusiasm for what they do and wanting to learn from and support one another. This doesn’t just end with the Cohort - the support available from our culinary leaders, trainers, and industry experts so far has been amazing. This means a lot to me personally, and I’m very excited to continue this journey and make the most of this fantastic opportunity.
Area Development and Support Chef, CH&CO
Our Oracy Report
The Great British Speaking Gap
As part of Our Social Promise, we are committed to creating opportunities for all, and oracy skills are central to that ambition.
To better understand perceptions of, and access to, oracy education and training in the UK, we conducted polling with More in Common and commissioned research with Purpose Union.
The findings are stark. Almost everyone we spoke to believes oracy is important for career progression, yet most have never received any oracy education or training. Access is even more limited for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
