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Social mobility speaker & founder

Sophie Pender

Transform workplace diversity with Sophie Pender, speaker and founder of The 93% Club. Sophie works with organisations to enhance social mobility, build inclusive networks, and create equitable career pathways, delivering impactful solutions for state-educated professionals nationwide.

Trusted by Saffery, The 93% Club

Sophie Pender

Speaker Biography

Key topics about

  • Founder of The 93% Club for state-educated individuals
  • Advocate for equal career opportunities regardless of background
  • Creator of a national network offering career support and training
Sophie Pender, Founder and CEO of the UK’s first extensive network for state-educated individuals, began her journey as the first member of her family to attend university in 2014. Raised on a council estate and balancing her studies with a part-time job at McDonald's, university represented a significant opportunity for advancement. However, she soon recognized that successful careers depend not just on intellect but also on social networks. At 19, while at the University of Bristol, she established The 93% Club initially as a Facebook page for state-educated undergraduates. Today, The 93% Club has evolved into a thriving social enterprise and membership network. It aims to level the playing field in the UK by ensuring career opportunities and influential networks are accessible regardless of educational background. The club collaborates with leading employers and offers its members access to a dedicated careers supermarket, employability training, talks from industry experts, and networking opportunities with peers from over 30 clubs nationwide. Additionally, members can attend exclusive events in various UK cities, enhancing their professional and social connections.

Why We Recommend Booking Sophie

Sophie Pender brings a unique and inspiring perspective on overcoming socio-economic barriers to success, drawing from her personal journey and the impactful work of The 93% Club. Booking her as a speaker will provide your team or business with actionable insights on fostering inclusivity and leveraging diversity for better outcomes. Her story and the success of her social enterprise will motivate and guide your organization in creating more equitable opportunities for all.

Check Sophie's availability

Trusted by Saffery, The 93% Club

frequently asked questions

Got Questions About Booking a Speaker?

What topics does Sophie Pender specialise in?
Sophie Pender specialises in discussing social mobility, educational equity, networking and more.
What is Sophie Pender's speaking style like?
Sophie delivers impactful presentations with passion and clarity, inspiring audiences through her personal journey and commitment to creating equal opportunities for state-educated individuals in the UK.
Does Sophie Pender offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Sophie Pender offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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