Speaking at Business in the Community's Summit in London yesterday, the group called for the expansion of a network of senior "business connectors" seconded into disadvantaged communities.
Following a successful pilot, Business in the Community aims to create a nationwide network of over 550 'business connectors' over five years in 160 areas of need across England, working full time with community and voluntary groups.
This ambition is boosted by investment to the scheme from Lloyds Banking Group. Lloyds has committed £200,000 to fund the training and infrastructure of the programme. It will also commit to seconding up to 20 senior staff as Business Connectors over the next three years.
Fujitsu has also committed to join the Business Connectors scheme this year in addition to its on-going support since 2011 in providing the cloud-based BITCConnect software platform which enables the business connectors to collaborate and share best practice. In addition, pilot companies including Sainsbury's, Greggs, United Utilities, Accenture and Waitrose have committed to the expansion of the programme by extending or increasing existing secondments.
Prime minister David Cameron said: "Responsible business today, yes, means giving more, but also doing more and changing the way your company behaves. The Business Connectors embody this change, making a real difference in communities; helping shopkeepers devastated by the riots, setting up mentor schemes and giving a boost to local charities that are already doing fantastic work. And when their time as a Business Connector is over, they'll return to make a real difference for their business too.
"They're buzzing with new ideas, more experienced and more in touch with their customers. This is the essence of responsible business today. It's not about bolting on a bit of good work; it is doing good and doing well out of it."
Responsible business charity Business in the Community convened a summit of 600 representatives of the UK's most influential businesses and voluntary sector leaders to identify practical business-led solutions to the pressing social and economic issues facing UK communities and to urge business leaders to radically increase their support of local communities.
Alison Brittain, group director, retail, Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Lloyds Banking Group is in a powerful position to help local communities across the UK tackle the issues they are facing. We have shown our commitment to supporting communities across the UK, through the banking services we provide and also through backing a range of programmes and initiatives designed to support education, enterprise, and employability. However, we do not want to stop at that. Our employees are a huge untapped resource and their business expertise, deep local knowledge and professional connections can be put to use to improve life in our communities.
"We are backing the Business Connectors scheme by increasing the number of secondees on the ground across the UK and by investing £200,000 in the scheme's infrastructure and training facilities. We hope that, as the scheme rolls out nationally, more businesses will come forward to provide expertise and support through their own employees."
Duncan Tait, chief executive, Fujitsu UK & Ireland, added: "It is fantastic that so many organisations are seconding Business Connectors. Now, having met some of the Business Connectors myself, and seen the good they are already doing and the results achieved, Fujitsu is delighted to be heavily involved in this initiative. We've been a pioneer company, having developed and deployed the BITCConnect platform, and are certain the work of BITC and the Connectors will benefit communities throughout the country."
Stephen Howard, Business in the Community chief executive, said: "Business Connectors is based on the proven impact of taking business resource, skills and time into the heart of communities. We're delighted that Lloyds Banking Group and our other supporting companies are showing leadership and a willingness to take a stand to build prosperous cohesive communities at this critical time.
"The Business Connector model of long term business secondments can help forge new relationships between business and the communities in which they live and operate, by building a network of next-generation business leaders with a unique knowledge of the difference that business can make in communities - and the skills to champion change within their organisations. We're excited that UK businesses, the voluntary sector, HRH the Prince of Wales and The Prime Minister are all backing this movement."
