The European Investment Grade Charity Event
Wed 24 June | Shangri-La at The Shard, London

Improving Financial Education for All Young People

Fitch Ratings is delighted to announce the launch of Making the Grade London 2026 - an inaugural event building on the success of our New York Making the Grade series, which is now in its fifth year and has raised over $2.1 million since its inception in 2022.

This inaugural European charity event brings together market participants from the Investment Grade and wider corporate community to support Young Enterprise, a charity leading the way for young people to improve their financial capability. All funds raised by Making the Grade London 2026 will support the charity’s mission of expanding opportunities for young people in underserved communities in England and Wales.

Young Enterprise is the leading UK charity in financial capability, entrepreneurship and work-readiness education for young people. Young Enterprise have prioritised increasing access to opportunities for young people in underserved communities in the United Kingdom, currently supporting 32% of schools in those areas.

The mission of Young Enterprise is for all young people to have the opportunities to build the skills, confidence and the mindset they need to thrive in their early adult lives regardless of their starting point or where they live.

Sponsorships are available at a range of levels. To find out further details, including how your organisation can support the event, please contact Matt Palmer.

How you’ll be helping

The impact of Young Enterprise’s work

92%
of young people feel more resilient and keep trying when faced with problems
87%
of young people feel more confident in themselves after taking part in YE programmes
85%
of young people feel as though they have a better grasp of money, spending and saving
85%
of young people better understand their strengths and areas to develop, including what employers are looking for
83%
of young people feel more inspired about starting a career that motivates and interests them
83%
of our Company Programme alumni feel confident in their abilities to run a business after taking part
Save the Date:

Making the Grade London,
Wednesday, 24 June, 2026

Fitch Ratings, along with other members of the Investment Grade community and Young Enterprise, is delighted to announce the inaugural European Investment Grade charity event, Making the Grade London on Wednesday, 24 June at 6:30pm at Shangri-La at The Shard in London.

Making the Grade London will bring together market participants from across the Investment Grade community, and the wider corporate landscape, to support increased access to opportunities for young people in underserved communities in the United Kingdom. The cost of the evening has been underwritten by Fitch Ratings and as such, all money raised by the event will go directly to Young Enterprise.

The event will be a cocktail reception with light food stands and an opportunity to network with the key participants in the investment grade market: bankers, lawyers, prominent portfolio managers, credit analysts, and CFOs/Treasurers. Funds will be raised solely through the sponsorship of the event (available now), and a limited number of single ticket sales will be made available at a later date.

Making the Grade London is very thankful for the sponsors who have come forward to support the cause including:

Founding Partner:

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

£5,000 Silver

  • 5 attendee registrations
  • 5 in-person volunteering opportunities
  • Access to training resources on 1st Work
  • Opportunities for young people
  • Access to corporate volunteering resources
  • £5k - could enable 200 young people to access our day programmes
Get Involved

£10,000 Gold

  • 10 attendee registrations
  • 10 in-person volunteering opportunities
  • Access to training resources on 1st Work
  • Opportunities for young people
  • Access to corporate volunteering resources
  • £10k - could support our work with students who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 3 schools, through our Team Programme
Get Involved

£15,000 Platinum

  • 15 attendee registrations
  • 15 in-person volunteering opportunities
  • Access to training resources on 1st Work opportunities for young people
  • Access to corporate volunteering resources
  • £15k - could support 5 schools to take part in our Inspiring Futures programme, which provides opportunities for young people in the most disadvantaged areas of the country to set up and run their own Young Enterprise company
Get Involved

£20,000 Diamond

  • 20 attendee registrations
  • 20 in-person volunteering opportunities
  • Bespoke training on 1st Work opportunities for young people
  • Access to corporate volunteering resources
  • £20k - could enable a school to achieve accreditation as a Centre of Excellence, helping them to successfully deliver practical and sustainable financial education, supporting thousands of young people
Get Involved

Contact

Contact us by filling out the form below or email us directly at matt.palmer@fitchratings.com.

Thank you for your enquiry.