Creating connections and opening doors at Peabody’s jobs fair
From first conversations to new career paths, our annual jobs fair in Kensington brought people and opportunities together - helping jobseekers from across London take their next steps towards work.
Published: 04/05/2026
Across the day, more than 500 people met 40 employers and training providers face-to-face, explored different industries and built connections that could shape their future.
Events like this are part of our wider commitment to supporting economic inclusion, helping people build skills, access opportunities and feel more secure in their future.
For David, that human connection made all the difference. At 55, he has years of experience behind him, including leadership roles in a highly specialised engineering field. But changing direction hasn’t been easy.
“There are only two companies in my field,” he explained. “I can’t work for the other one because of the rules around trade secrets… so I’m basically kicked out of my own industry.”
After many online applications with no response, the jobs fair offered something new.
“It was yet another jobs fair,” he said, “but this one felt different… more firms, a more interesting assortment of companies.”
More importantly, it gave him the chance to speak to people directly.
“It’s the human connection that makes the difference. You cannot connect well with anybody without meeting in real life.”
Those conversations are already opening doors. “Devonshires has my resume,” he says. “We’ll see if I would be a good fit.”
Showcasing opportunities across industries
Employers from a wide range of sectors came together on the day - from construction and housing to law, education and the growing green economy.
For companies like WPS, which carries out day-to-day repairs for Peabody in homes across north London, the focus was on helping people understand the breadth of roles available.
“One of the key reasons for us to be here is to promote the industry itself - the width and variety of roles within it,” said Magda Goncalves, who leads on social value at WPS.
While construction is often seen as hands-on trade work, the reality is much broader.
“We’ve got trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrician and multi-trade roles – so people who can do a bit of everything - but also office roles like customer service, contract managers, commercial managers… even marketing and communications,” she explained.
Rethinking routes into work
That idea of opening up different pathways was echoed across the event.
Natalie Maloney, from national law firm Clarke Willmott, was keen to show that careers in law don’t follow just one route.
“I’ve employed people from very different backgrounds - a former teacher, someone who was a policeman… people who have been secretaries for years,” she says. “They’re now absolutely loving a career in compliance.”
Her team focuses on financial crime and compliance - a growing area that many people may not have considered.
“It’s a large business with lots of different careers… HR, finance, marketing, IT, data,” she explained. “You can join a team, prove yourself, and then move across.”
Connecting local people to local jobs
For employers like East West Connect, the jobs fair was also about building stronger links with the communities they work in.
“We’re trying to connect our work opportunities to the people who need work - especially young people,” said Paul Anstey, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance.
Like many others in the construction sector, his firm sees a growing skills gap.
“A lot of people want a career but don’t even understand what we do,” he explains. “They don’t know these jobs exist.”
By speaking directly to people, that can quickly change.
“You paint a picture of what it involves, and all of a sudden they get excited,” he said. “They realise there’s a career path all the way through.”
Taking the next step
Throughout the day, one message came through clearly: opportunities don’t just come from applications - they come from conversations.
“It was great to see so many people come through the doors, meet employers face to face and have really positive conversations about the roles on offer,” said Sahil Khan, Director of Community Strategy, Partnerships and Funding at Peabody.
“Alongside that, people were able to get practical support with things like CVs and interview skills, which will help build confidence as well as open up new opportunities.
“It’s not just about finding a job on the day, but helping people take the next step towards a career and a more secure future.”
Peabody Jobs Fair took place on Tuesday 24 March at Kensington and Events Conference Centre. The venue was provided by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.