McLaren Racing is proud to announce the launch of NEXT, a programme aimed at identifying and empowering the next generation of women leaders in STEM.

We have teamed up with a selection of McLaren Racing’s industry-leading partners. In collaboration with Allwyn, Cisco, and Deloitte UK, McLaren’s NEXT programme will support the participants through immersive masterclasses, workshops, panels, and mentorship sessions.

NEXT, born out of our successful 60 Scholars initiative, represents our continued commitment to investing in the future of women in STEM. In line with McLaren’s ambition to set the standard for diversity and inclusion in sport, NEXT aims to break down barriers and increase representation by creating meaningful opportunities for young women interested in entering STEM industries, including racing.

What is NEXT?

Our early careers pipeline represents a fantastic opportunity for talent entering our sport and wider STEM industries, and we have seen great success from initiatives like 60 Scholars. NEXT is an evolution of this, based on learnings from the previous two years, created to help break down barriers and provide further support to the next generation.

Twenty-five successful applicants will be selected to participate in NEXT, which will provide a high-impact learning experience. The focus will be on connecting participants with inspiring STEM leaders, providing immersive in-person learning, and creating stronger pathways to recruitment opportunities.

The successful candidates will receive personalised mentoring and participate in a series of hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions, held in person at the McLaren Technology Centre and our programme partners’ London-based offices.

NEXT will provide industry insight and offer an understanding of the diverse opportunities available in STEM, equipping participants with practical, transferable skills designed to help them thrive as their careers progress. The community of peers and mentors they build throughout the programme will become a lasting source of support and inspiration.

Eligible candidates for the programme include students from the UK, US, and EU, as we aim to reach a broader and more diverse talent pool. McLaren will cover all associated travel costs to ensure the programme remains accessible to all.

Who are we collaborating with?  

We have partnered with leading organisations across a range of industries. Allwyn, Cisco, and Deloitte UK each bring a unique perspective, offering participants valuable insights into STEM sectors beyond motorsport and expanding their understanding of the diverse opportunities a STEM career can offer.

Allwyn, Cisco, and Deloitte UK will each host an immersive learning experience, designed to engage and expose the students to their unique areas of expertise.

Deloitte UK and Cisco will welcome participants to their London offices, providing behind-the-scenes access to their high-performance workplaces. While there, participants will explore how their STEM skills can be applied to real-world challenges across professional services and the technology industries. This will include hands-on workshops designed to develop essential business skills and personalised mentorship aimed at equipping individuals with the expertise and versatility to thrive in any workplace.

Allwyn’s session will take place at the McLaren Technology Centre, bringing in senior leaders from across their business to share knowledge and explore how STEM drives innovation in their global operations.  

Why has McLaren created NEXT?

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) is a fundamental aspect of our People and Sustainability strategies. Our mission is to create opportunities that encourage and empower more women to pursue careers in motorsport and with McLaren Racing.

Our goal is to have 40% of our workforce come from underrepresented backgrounds by 2030, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

In our latest Sustainability Report, we observed encouraging progress: 43% of McLaren Racing’s new starters were from underrepresented backgrounds, while 30% of our early-career population consists of women. This highlights the impact that initiatives run by McLaren Racing can have in addressing barriers that many individuals still encounter due to their socio-economic background, geography, or limited digital access.

When does the programme take place and how can I apply?  

The course will begin at the McLaren Technology Centre on Monday, 7 July and conclude on Friday, 11 July.

Applications are now open for women from the UK, US, and Europe. You can apply via the official McLaren Racing website, here, with applications closing on Monday, 2 June.