Fellowship Futures 2026

On 17 March, we hosted our Fellowship Futures event at the Rank Foundation’s London offices, an inspiring evening dedicated to supporting our Fellowship and wider Rank network with practical careers advice.

Aimed at current university students and recent graduates, the event focused on navigating the often challenging transition from education into employment. As always, it was an energising occasion, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a talented and proactive community of young people putting themselves forward in a competitive and evolving job market. 

The evening began with Felix Haynes (Class of 2017), who delivered a brilliant talk titled “Being Yourself (and Trying to Get a Job in the Process)”. Felix shared an honest and often humorous account of his journey: from school, to Ofcom, to the Financial Conduct Authority, and now to his current role in policy at Coinbase. His reflections on applying to a wide range of roles in a third-year panic, from investment banking to theatre outreach to even detective work, struck a chord with many in the room. His key message was clear: focus on being authentic, recognise the skills you already have, and learn how to present them with confidence. 

Felix was followed by the excellent Gail Sampson, a Global HR leader and VP at Sovos. With over 20 years’ experience shaping people strategy across multinational organisations, Gail brought invaluable insight into today’s hiring landscape. Her talk, “Beating the Bot: Applying for Jobs in an AI World,” explored how recruitment has evolved in the age of AI.

She highlighted the reported 32% drop in entry-level job postings since the launch of newer AI tools (if we can correlate such two things), and spoke candidly about the increasingly automated nature of hiring processes. Despite this, Gail’s message was also an encouraging one: focus on crafting strong, authentic applications, use AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, and ensure your own voice and skills come through clearly. 

Following the talks, Stuart Wilson (Class of 1984) expertly chaired a panel discussion featuring Gail and Felix, alongside Fellowship members Ollie Brown (Class of 2019), Ben Rickard (Class of 2019), Amara Agwo (Class of 2019), and Zara Tso (Class of 2010). Representing a wide range of sectors from including law, finance, media, and the social sector, the panel shared their individual career journeys, offering relatable and practical insights for those in the audience exploring similar paths. 

The evening also provided plenty of opportunity for networking and reconnecting, something that remains at the heart of the Rank community. 

Overall, it was a fantastic event filled with meaningful conversations, valuable advice, and a strong sense of community. Everyone who attended is a testament to the power of the Fellowship network, thank you to all who made it such a special evening!