Broadgate Connect: Eataly

Broadgate Connect is British Land’s employment and training partnership with East London Business Alliance (ELBA), which connects Broadgate businesses with local talent.

It has been helping East Londoners gain fulfilling jobs and apprenticeships in and around Broadgate since 2012, enabling diverse local hiring for our campus customers and suppliers.

An embedded ELBA project manager in the Broadgate team supports businesses to source, train and mentor candidates for free, and supports East London residents into employment with Broadgate businesses, through training, coaching, work placements and access to employment opportunities.

Meet: Angelica, Eataly’s latest employee and alumni of the Broadgate Connect. We sat down with Angelica to find out more about her experience. 

Can you introduce yourself?

My background is a mix of diverse experiences that have shaped my skills. I’m a fast learner who enjoys picking up new skills, and I have a natural ability to connect with people. My first job was in a hair salon, where I learned about customer service and attention to detail. Later, I worked in a spa doing relaxing massages and nails, which helped me develop a calm and welcoming approach with clients. After that, I worked in a club, gaining even more experience in a fast-paced, social environment.

Just as I was building my experience, COVID changed everything. With work opportunities disappearing, I decided to focus on my creative side—I love art and painting—and tried to develop that further instead of just staying at home. However, without formal studies in entrepreneurship, turning that passion into a career proved difficult.

When it came to finding a job after COVID, I faced several challenges. I struggled with writing a strong CV and performing well in interviews. It wasn’t about lacking talent or experience – being a trans woman, I faced many rejections. At first, this was discouraging, but I also realized that I don’t want to work in a place where I’m not accepted anyway. In a way, those rejections were actually doing me a favour, because they helped me avoid environments where I wouldn’t feel comfortable. I also noticed that sometimes, talent takes a backseat to image, which made it even harder to feel confident.

I knew that improving my professional communication was essential to making a strong impression on employers. That’s why joining the Broadgate Connect program was such a great opportunity. It helped me build the confidence and skills I needed to secure a job and move forward in my career. Thanks to their support, I was able to start working at EATALY, where I’m currently employed.

What was your experience with the Broadgate Connect Programme?

My experience with the program was incredibly valuable, and I’m very grateful for the support I received.

From the start, they helped me improve my CV, making it more professional and appealing to employers. They also provided guidance on how to present myself in a way that would leave a strong impression. This boosted my confidence and made me even more excited to see my own progress.

One of the most valuable parts of the program was the one-on-one training sessions to improve my communication skills. I sometimes struggled with speaking professionally and confidently in interviews, but their support helped me feel more prepared. The feedback and practical advice I received made a big difference in how I presented myself. I also attended a recruitment event, where I had the chance to meet potential employers.

Thanks to the skills and confidence I gained through the program, I was able to make a strong impression and even had multiple job offers to choose from. The program truly gave me the tools and confidence I needed to find a job quickly, and I appreciate everything they did to help me succeed.

How did the programme help improve your skills and increase your confidence?

The program helped me improve my skills and build confidence, especially by transforming my old CV into something that truly stood out. I have a lot of interests and tend to want to do many things at once, which sometimes made me feel a bit lost. The program helped me prioritize and organize my job search more effectively.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was communicating professionally during interviews. This is something employers really look for, and I needed support in presenting myself clearly and confidently. The program’s one-on-one coaching sessions helped me with this, and with practice and feedback, I became much more confident in interviews.

Overall, I learned how to structure my job search better, gained the confidence to express myself professionally, and developed skills that will help me throughout my career.

How did the programme support you in your job search?

The program supported me in my job search in several key ways.

• They provided me with job leads, connecting me with opportunities that matched my skills and experience.
• They also helped me refine my resume and gave practical advice on approaching interviews, which made a significant difference in my confidence.

Additionally, I attended a recruitment event organized by the program, where I had the chance to meet potential employers and learn about job openings. These events were incredibly helpful in expanding my network and gaining direct access to hiring companies.

I was fortunate to receive multiple job offers and had the chance to choose the best fit for me.

Overall, the program gave me the resources, guidance, and connections I needed to find a job quickly, and I’m really grateful for their support.

What advice do you have for anyone coming to the Broadgate Connect Programme?

1. Come in with a positive mindset, even if things feel difficult. Some days might be frustrating, but keep going and stay open to learning.
2. Ask questions, take notes, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. Don’t waste the time of the people who are genuinely trying to help you—but always do your best to help yourself too.
4. Take responsibility for your own success. The program can give you tools and connections, but your effort will make the biggest difference.

For me, Broadgate Connect helped when I really needed it, and in return, I gave my all to learn everything they provided. I worked hard, and because of that, I got a job quickly.

If you put in the effort and take the program seriously, it can really help you too!