National accountancy and advisory firm MHA, which has a strong base in Milton Keynes, has launched a new nationwide charitable initiative aimed at improving youth financial literacy across the UK.
The MHA 1892 Foundation will award grants of up to £3,500 to organisations that promote financial education and help young people build essential career and life skills. Funding will be raised through charitable activity across MHA’s UK offices, including Milton Keynes, alongside match funding from firm partners.
The national rollout follows a successful pilot in the North West, launched in 2023, which has already supported eight organisations working to improve social mobility and widen access to financial education. As a result, MHA has brought those efforts together under a single national foundation to scale its impact.
The foundation is named after 1892, the year North West accountancy firm MHA Moore and Smalley was founded. The firm formally merged with MHA in April 2024, uniting both businesses and their shared commitment to social impact.
Liz Newell, partner at MHA’s Milton Keynes office, said the foundation reflects that combined purpose. “When MHA and Moore and Smalley formally merged last year, we combined not only our operations but also our shared commitment to creating positive social impact,” she said. “The MHA 1892 Foundation reflects that commitment.”
She explained that teams across the firm already raise significant funds for community causes, particularly those linked to financial education. However, a national structure allows those efforts to go further. “Colleagues across the UK already raise substantial funds for community causes, particularly those focused on financial education,” Liz said. “Bringing these efforts together under a single national foundation allows us to coordinate our impact and empower our teams.”
Liz added that the foundation gives employees a practical way to support local communities while addressing a wider national issue. “The MHA 1892 Foundation will provide a meaningful way for our people to support the communities in which we work, while helping tackle an issue of national importance,” she said.
The launch comes amid growing concern about low levels of financial literacy among young people. Research from the Money and Pensions Service shows that 76% of teachers believe most pupils leave school without the financial knowledge needed for adult life. Meanwhile, a Federation of Small Businesses study found that around a quarter of young people struggle with financial understanding when starting or running a business.
In November, the government announced planned curriculum changes to strengthen financial education in schools, although these are not expected to take effect until 2028.
Liz said action is needed now. “Ensuring that every young person has access to financial education is essential for building a brighter future,” she said. “The government’s curriculum changes are a welcome step, but they won’t take effect for several years and cannot solve the issue alone.”
She added: “Through the MHA 1892 Foundation, we will support organisations working with young people from all backgrounds, helping them gain the financial confidence and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex world.”
