Tackling Reneges in Early Careers: Lessons from NatWest Group

Published by Sarah Wardle 08/10/2025

During the Bright Network conference in September 2025, Illuminate, Eli Onboarding’s Sarah Wardle hosted a panel discussion with NatWest Group, exploring one of the most pressing challenges in early careers recruitment: reneges and withdrawals.

The session struck a chord with the audience. With competition for top graduate and apprentice talent continuing to intensify, the reality is that candidates changing their minds after accepting an offer is no longer unusual – it’s something every employer needs to be ready for.

👉 “Reneges aren’t just a statistic – they tell us something important about the candidate experience. They’re a reminder that trust, connection, and communication really matter in those months between offer and day one.”

The reality of reneges today

Rosie Mackay, Talent Attraction Manager from NatWest Group, shared the picture from their most recent graduate intake: the 2025 induction actually saw a reduction in the graduate withdrawal rate, despite many other graduate employers reporting higher levels of reneges this year. But as Rosie explained, it’s not just about market conditions – it’s also about trust.

👉 “Reneges are the new norm.”

Stories of employers rescinding offers have made students and graduates cautious. That’s why, Rosie stressed, preboarding now plays such an important role in building confidence, strengthening commitment and creating connections before day one, as this is the way you build trust.

Using data and experience to reduce withdrawals

NatWest Group’s partnership with Eli has enabled them to make preboarding more engaging, transparent and data driven.

Engagement scores flag candidates who may be at risk of withdrawing, allowing the team to step in early.
Pulse surveys capture candidate needs in real time, helping the team respond quickly. For example, introducing graduate drop-in sessions when new joiners asked for more peer-to-peer connection.
Community tools such as buddies, social walls, and graduate-led calls create a strong sense of belonging long before joining.

And the results speak volumes. Across NatWest Group’s 2025 early careers cohort:
📊 93.8% engagement rate
📊 119,748 page views and 23,676 sessions
📊 8,833 checklist items completed
📊 1,016 messages exchanged between candidates
📊 88% reported positive wellbeing
📊 Average rating of 4.65 out of 5 for their onboarding experience
📊 Average rating of 4.0 out of 5 for how connected they felt to peers and the organisation

The human side of preboarding

Alongside the data, the panel highlighted the importance of human connection.

Tim Salmon, Co-Founder at Eli Onboarding, described preboarding as a critical phase in the candidate journey – a time to reduce anxiety, provide clarity, and reinforce the reasons a candidate accepted the offer in the first place. He emphasised the role of inspiring content, clear roadmaps, and inclusive experiences that make every candidate feel welcome and excited.

Tawsif Islam, Graduate at Coutts (part of NatWest Group), added the candidate’s perspective, reminding the audience that small details can have a big impact. A message from a future manager, an introduction to a buddy, or clear answers to practical questions like “What should I wear on day one?” or “Where are the prayer facilities?” all help reduce uncertainty and build confidence.

Key takeaways for early career recruiters

The panel left the audience with some clear lessons:

Reneges can’t be eliminated, but they can be reduced.
The key is creating experiences that are personalised, connected, transparent and inclusive.
By combining data insights with genuine human connection, employers can strengthen trust and loyalty during the critical preboarding phase.

Done well, this not only reduces reneges but also ensures that when new joiners arrive on day one, they do so with confidence, enthusiasm, and a sense of belonging.

A huge thank you to our expert panel from NatWest Group and Eli for sharing their experiences, and for leading such an insightful discussion.