The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) is proud to announce The Outward Bound Trust as its official charity partner for the 2026 ALFED Annual Dinner, reinforcing the Federation’s commitment to supporting organisations that create meaningful and lasting social impact.
The Outward Bound Trust aims to empower young people through outdoor adventure, helping them develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills and a stronger belief in their own potential. The charity works with thousands of young people each year, providing transformative experiences that encourage personal growth and self-discovery.
Through this partnership, ALFED will raise funds and awareness to support The Outward Bound Trust’s mission of ensuring that more young people, regardless of background or circumstance, can access life-changing outdoor experiences. Many of the young people who benefit from the charity’s programmes rely on financial support to participate.
The 2026 ALFED Annual Dinner, ALFED’s biggest networking and celebration event of the UK aluminium calendar, will provide a platform for members, partners and industry guests to come together in support of this important cause. Attendees will have opportunities to contribute through fundraising activities associated with the event, with all proceeds helping The Outward Bound Trust continue its work with young people across the UK.
Speaking on his first-hand experience of The Outward Bound Trust, The Metal Centre’s Purchasing Manager, Andy Smith commented: “In today’s challenging economic climate, investing in our people is more critical than ever. The ALFED Outward Bound Trust (OBT) programme has proven to be a transformative experience, equipping individuals with the problem-solving, leadership and communication skills essential for navigating the complexities of the UK Aluminium Industry.
As an industry, our future success relies on the ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Through this programme, participants step outside their comfort zones, learning to build trust and credibility in authentic environments, skills that translate directly to the workplace. Participants returning as more confident, resilient, and capable leaders, ready to drive innovation and efficiency in our sector.
Despite economic pressures, investment in our people is an investment we cannot afford to overlook. The long-term benefits of both developing and retaining a highly skilled, adaptable workforce far outweigh the costs, ensuring our UK Aluminium Industry remains competitive on a global scale. The ALFED Outward Bound Trust (OBT) Programme is not just an experience, it’s a strategic investment in the future of our industry.”
Why ALFED Chose The Outward Bound Trust
The aluminium industry is built on innovation, ambition and developing future talent. The Outward Bound Trust shares these values by helping young people discover their potential, overcome challenges and build skills that will support them throughout their lives.
ALFED believes that investing in future generations is essential to building a stronger, more resilient society. By supporting The Outward Bound Trust, the Federation and its members can help ensure that more young people have access to opportunities that inspire confidence, leadership and personal growth.
ALFED’s Chief Executive Officer, Nadine Bloxsome, said:
“We are delighted to name The Outward Bound Trust as our official charity partner for the 2026 ALFED Annual Dinner. Their work aligns strongly with our industry’s values of ambition, resilience, development and opportunity. By supporting young people to challenge themselves and realise their potential, The Outward Bound Trust is helping to build confident and capable leaders.
“We look forward to working with our members and wider industry partners to raise vital funds and awareness for this remarkable organisation.”
The partnership also reflects ALFED’s wider commitment to fostering positive social impact and supporting initiatives that help future generations thrive.
The Outward Bound Trust uses the power of outdoor adventure to help young people build confidence, courage and essential life skills, enabling them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
After completing The Outward Bound Trust Programme back in 2017, JBM International Ltd’s Business Development Director, Josh Brough, added: “In 2017, I had the privilege of attending The Outward Bound Trust’s programme at their Eskdale centre in the Lake District, hosted by the Aluminium Federation (ALFED). This experience proved to be transformative, both professionally and personally.
The programme’s emphasis on experiential learning fostered significant professional development alongside candidates from all areas of ALFED’s delegate members. Engaging in activities such as raft building and other team-building exercises enhanced my leadership and problem-solving skills.
The setting of the Eskdale centre, nestled in the Lake District, added an extra memorable bonus to the experience. The natural beauty of the area not only provided a serene and relaxing environment for us all to get to know each other, but also served as a perfect backdrop for the challenges and learning opportunities presented.
These challenges provided a unique environment to push boundaries of strangers and discover new capabilities together. A standout aspect was of course the opportunity for networking with fellow ALFED members and the Outward Bound facilities and of course the local pub, that enabled some down time and the ability to really get to know fellow ALFED members in a relaxed setting.
The shared experiences with everyone led to the formation of enduring professional relationships. Many of the contacts I made during this time have evolved into lifelong friends and invaluable industry connections. Whilst there is of course a financial investment associated with such programmes, the intangible benefits far outweigh the costs to each business that sends its proposed candidates. The skills acquired, the relationships built, and the personal networking opportunities experienced are assets that continue to influence my role at JBMI Group Ltd today.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Outward Bound Trust’s programme to ‘Young Executives’ and would encourage any ALFED member to consider this opportunity.”
As an industry, our future success relies on the ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Through this programme, participants step outside their comfort zones, learning to build trust and credibility in authentic environments, skills that translate directly to the workplace. Participants returning as more confident, resilient, and capable leaders, ready to drive innovation and efficiency in our sector.
Support Our Fundraising Efforts
ALFED members, partners and industry colleagues are invited to support The Outward Bound Trust by making a donation through our dedicated fundraising page.
Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/aluminium-federation-supporting-the-outward-bound-trust
Every contribution will help more young people access transformative outdoor learning experiences and develop the confidence and resilience needed to fulfil their potential.
To learn more about The Outward Bound Trust, please visit: www.outwardbound.org.uk
To learn more about ALFED, or to become a member, please visit: www.alfed.org.uk
To book your tickets to come along and join us for the 2026 Annual Business Briefing and Dinner on Thursday 24th September 2026, please click here.
