British appliance manufacturer, Dualit has announced a new partnership with the Harlequins Foundation, uniting two organisations with a shared commitment to empowering young people and creating meaningful, long-term impact in local communities.
The partnership will see Dualit working closely with the Harlequins Foundation to support young people across six London boroughs local to The Stoop – Hounslow, Kingston, Richmond, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth – through a programme of hands-on work experience, STEM education and real-world marketing projects.
Founded in 1945, Dualit is a family-owned British business best known for its iconic Classic Toaster, which is still hand-assembled in the UK today. Alongside its reputation for engineering excellence, durability and design, Dualit has a long-standing commitment to education, employability and supporting the next generation with practical skills that prepare them for the world of work.
Alex Gort-Barten, Owner and Director of Dualit, with the students during STEM workshop.
The Harlequins Foundation is the charitable arm of Harlequins Rugby Club, harnessing the power of sport and the spirit of Harlequins to drive positive change. Its mission is to empower young people with the essential skills they need to succeed. Through programmes centred on education and employability, wellbeing and inclusion, the Foundation supports thousands of young people each year, helping them build confidence, resilience and self-belief both on and off the pitch.
The partnership programme officially kicked off in December 2025 with a STEM and skills-focused session delivered at The Stoop by Dualit’s Owner and Director, Alex Gort-Barten. Drawing on his own experiences growing up with dyslexia, Alex led an interactive session exploring problem-solving, resilience and creative thinking, and how these skills translate into the real world of work. Using practical examples from his day-to-day role at Dualit and from product development across the brand’s appliance range, the session encouraged young people to challenge ideas, reframe negative thinking and understand the value of learning through experimentation, failure and improvement. The session was designed to show how essential skills develop beyond the classroom and how different ways of thinking can be a strength in professional environments.
As part of the wider partnership, Dualit will deliver five student work experience placements at its headquarters, offering hands-on exposure to a real working environment and insight into potential career pathways within manufacturing, engineering and business functions.
In addition, Dualit’s marketing team will run a three-part marketing project for post-16 students, hosted at The Stoop. The programme will give participants the opportunity to work on a real business brief, learning about branding, campaigns, digital marketing and creative thinking directly from industry professionals.
By combining Dualit’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing and marketing with the Harlequins Foundation’s deep understanding of youth development and community need, the partnership aims to create powerful, lasting outcomes for young people.
For many participants, the programme will provide their first exposure to professional working environments, helping them to develop confidence, aspiration and the essential skills needed to progress into further education, training or employment.
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