Young Professionals UK hosts its largest ever event, welcoming more than 3,000 students to Indigo at The O2

Young Professionals UK, which provides events on apprenticeships, welcomed 3,000 school students from across the country in the largest event of its kind.

The sold-out event gave students a chance to hear panel discussions featuring leaders from the RAF, the University of Law, the NHS, Grant Thornton and Freshfield. The event also included a networking session with 20 of the UK’s largest recruiters of young people.

Young Professionals claims the event was one of the most diverse it had held, with 45 percent of attendees coming from social mobility backgrounds and 81 percent from ethnic minorities. 

Daniel Miller, CEO at Young Professionals, closed the event with a keynote speech. He told attendees: "I started Young Professionals at 17 because I believed opportunities from world-class employers felt unreachable to students like me. To now be inspiring our next generation and creating events at iconic venues like this – it’s a full-circle moment.

“AI is rapidly changing the early careers landscape, and face-to-face events like this, where real, authentic connections are made, have never been more important. Our aim was to bridge the gap between students and opportunity, and that’s exactly what we achieved. 

“20 globally renowned organisations came together with us to showcase pathways into apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and work experience. It was incredible to see students inspired, motivated, and walking away with a real sense of direction. That’s what this is all about: changing mindsets and creating access." 

Tom Lyas, Head of Resourcing at law firm Browne Jacobson, added: “This wasn’t just an event – it was a movement. Thousands of ambitious young people, many from underrepresented backgrounds, came together to explore careers they never imagined were within reach. 

“What Young Professionals are doing in the entry-level careers space is transforming the future of talent in our sector and beyond – and we’re proud to support that journey.”