In celebration of Social Mobility Day, on 12th June 2025, we interviewed our Chief People Officer, Isabella Jeng, on a topic that speaks closely to her heart. Read her personal story as she shares her mother's journey from Taiwan to Germany, the impact of social mobility on their lives, and how she is inspired to make a difference.
Q: Why does Social Mobility Day matter to you?
A: The topic of Social Mobility resonates deeply with me because it’s very personal. Both my [co-founder] Jeff and I attended state schools and grew up in smaller towns, where access to certain opportunities wasn't always a given. For me, the importance of this day is also profoundly shaped by my family’s story. My mother came to Germany from Taiwan when she was just 14. She started secondary school without speaking any German, a daunting prospect for anyone. She quickly became an essential support for her family, acting as a bridge between two cultures.
After finishing school, she wasn't able to go to university. This wasn't due to a lack of ability, but because her help was essential for the family business. Her experience really brought home to me that people can have all the drive and potential in the world, but still find their paths limited by their circumstances. Her story is a clear example of how different types of barriers can impact access to education and career progression, even for someone with incredible resilience and capability.
So, for me, social mobility is about understanding these barriers and actively working to remove them. It’s about striving to ensure that someone’s background doesn’t unfairly define their future. Stories like my mother's are a powerful reminder that talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t always. That’s why this work, and what we are highlighting on Social Mobility Day, really matters.
Q: What does social mobility really mean in practice?
A: It’s fundamentally about fairness. It’s about ensuring someone’s potential isn’t dictated by their postcode, the school they went to, or their family income. When we talk about social mobility, we mean actively breaking down unwarranted barriers. Without it, we miss out so much on diverse perspectives, fresh thinking, and a wealth of untapped talent. With it, we build something better: a society one that’s more dynamic, more inclusive, and ultimately more resilient.
Q: Why is storytelling such a powerful part of this conversation?
A: Because stories make these issues real and relatable. They cut through the corporate jargon and show the human side of career journeys, the setbacks, the self-doubt, the unexpected turns. Platforms like the DuvetFlip are doing this brilliantly. For example, our CEO, Jeff Cronkshaw, recently shared his own story there, reminding us all that careers rarely follow a straight line.
When we’re honest about the 'messy middle', those moments where things didn’t go to plan, we allow others to see themselves in those experiences. It shows there isn't just one single path to success, and that resilience, including backing yourself when the odds feel stacked, is a crucial part of anyone's development.
Q: What role do employers play in driving social mobility and what’s your message to others this Social Mobility Day?
A: Employers have a significant role to play and a genuine opportunity to lead by example. Social mobility doesn’t happen by chance; it requires conscious, sustained action. This means looking closely at how we hire, how we support people once they are part of the team, and how we create clear progression pathways, particularly for those from less traditional backgrounds.
At Lancia, for instance, we’ve introduced initiatives like blind interviewing to help reduce unconscious bias and make sure we’re focusing on potential over polish. We’ve also invested in apprenticeships giving people a chance to earn, learn, and grow regardless of where they started.
But it’s not just about programmes or policies, it's fundamentally about mindset, a willingness to challenge assumptions, to listen, and then to act.
My message? Start where you can, however small. Share someone’s story. Offer your time and expertise. Review your recruitment practices. Mentor someone outside your usual network.
Social Mobility Day is an important prompt to amplify voices, challenge the status quo, and take meaningful action. Because when we open doors for others, we don’t just change individual lives; we build a better future for our organisations and for society as a whole.
