19 February

We Can Be 2026

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal hosted our annual We Can Be event in February, once again exposing Year 10 and Year 12 students from 22 London schools to future careers in the City.  

This year, we had 22 City businesses and over 300 students take part in the morning sessions. Aiming to change perceptions of the City and unlock skills and confidence to achieve any career they want, the students experienced everything from introductions to the world of finance at Schroders to debating laws around social media at Addleshaw Goddard.   

On her morning at Fidelity International, Vanessa, Year 12 Student said:  

“The first half of the day began at Fidelity International's office (which was so cool!) in London where we were taught vital interview techniques, as well as heard about the company and what it does. We got to learn about what investment actually entails and took part in reverse interviews.”  

As valuable for City businesses as it is for the students, We Can Be gives companies like Roc Technologies and Standard Chartered the chance to seek out future employees and to refine their ability to capture young talent.

As well as giving the students an exclusive insight into City culture, participating business leaders get the chance to impart crucial work readiness skills through a number of immersive activities.   

On her We Can Be 2026 experience, Emily Naylor, Legal Counsel at Schroders said:  

“It was such a privilege to be a part of We Can Be. Schroders hosted 20 students in the morning with our sole to aim to create a welcoming environment where the students could ask questions about working in the City and hopefully inspire some of them to consider a career in finance.”   

In the afternoon, almost 500 individuals came together for an immersive afternoon at the Guildhall hosted by Dr Joanna Abeyie MBE CC, Founder and CEO at Blue Moon & Partners and Zoe Garshong, Founder and Director of Ms Independent Careers, and special guest The Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley DBE. Students and City employees took part in a Managing a Portfolio simulation game and heard from panellists such as Rola Aina, Senior Leader Founder and CEO at Turntroop and male ally Tom Clementi, Chief Executive Officer at Pool Re.  

On her afternoon Vanessa, Year 12 Student continues.   

“The second half of the day, we went to the Guildhall for a managing a portfolio competition where each table worked as a team to choose investments in companies based on news stories given to us. Between sessions of this we heard talks from people in the industry. Some of the things said that particularly stuck out to me included 'always trust yourself and what you want to do', and that there's 'no substitute for hard work'. The day was extremely insightful, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have attended.”  

Many of the businesses that hosted morning sessions, attended the afternoon event – showing their commitment to breaking down barriers in the City - where any young person feels like they are welcome – regardless of their background.  

Emily Naylor, Legal Counsel at Schroders added;   

“In the afternoon, I spoke as part of a panel in front of 100’s of year 12 students hoping to spread the message that if you’ve grown up with caring responsibilities at home or had to face any kind of adversity, you can still thrive and you still belong in the City.”   

We Can Be 2026 was sponsored by City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund, Culture Mile and Eastern City Business Improvement Districts and Roc Technologies.

Find out more about We Can Be here