ONE HULL brings the city together
The very best of business engagement in Hull was put under the spotlight at a special event on 'Corporate Social Responsibility' organised by One Hull, the city’s Local Strategic Partnership.
The event, ‘Why CSR Matters’, took place at the KC Stadium on the 21st July and 120 delegates heard presentations from Kier Building Maintenance, KC, D3 Office Group and Jenko Design and Marketing - businesses that have committed themselves to supporting the social and economic regeneration of Hull. Dr John Buttrick of Hull Children's University spoke about the value of business engagement from the perspective of a local charity and the Leader of the Council, Cllr Carl Minns, gave his thoughts on the value of businesses being fully engaged in the development of the city.
The issue of business engagement comes at a time when the Government is encouraging its ‘Big Society’ plan which it hopes will empower local organisations to make a positive difference to the communities in which they operate.
As well as being a celebration of what local businesses have achieved, the event also offered businesses the chance to network with exhibitors from 20 VCS and public sector organisations who were offering ways for businesses to implement more effective CSR activity such as taking on an apprentice, hosting work placements and promoting enterprise education to young people. Delegates were also given the oppourtunity to source opportunities to work in partnership with other businesses and collaboratively discuss and explore joint CSR agendas.
“Why CSR Matters”, was sponsored by CERT, the Hull Enterprise Partnership and the Hull & East Yorkshire Community Foundation.
Helen Roberts, KC’s HR Director, presented the KC in the Community strategy and spoke about KC’s commitment to help inspire young people. She said: “The event was a great opportunity to share our vision and passion with like-minded and enthusiastic businesses and organisations. Giving back to the communities that matter to our customers is imperative, but CSR activities also deliver business benefits for our region, which help the business community to succeed and thrive.”
One of the keynote speakers, Dan Maher, Business Development and Bids Director at Kier Building Maintenance, said: “I have worked both sides of the procurement process – as client and contractor - and know how important adding value is. It isn’t simply banging nails in the right way; for us as a repairs and maintenance contractor, we must contribute to the social aspirations of affordable homes landlords and management organisations and to long term local council strategy. That’s why I joined Kier - it’s a commercial business with a social outlook.”
One of the primary event sponsors was the Hull Enterprise Partnership (HEP), which provides a free consultancy service to help local people set up their own businesses, through a network of social enterprises. Project Manager Pete Mckillop said: “We’ve succeeded with helping to safeguard jobs through HEP funding and bringing together expertise of existing businesses to help nurture new ones. CSR can do so much for the future development of the economy and we’re delighted to be supporting this event, which should help the private sector to see how big a role they can play in the regeneration of the city.”
For more information please contact:
Ben Delaney
Project Development Officer, ONE HULL Business Forum
01482 324976
b.delaney@hullbusinessforum.com
First Photograph:
Dr John Buttrick - Hull Children's University
Graham Jenkinson - Jenko Marketing & Design
Kath Lavery - Hull & East Yorkshire Community Foundation
Martin Shaw - D3 Office Group
Helen Roberts - KC
Dan Maher - Kier Building Maintenance
Second Photograph:
Martin Shaw - D3 Office Group
Photography courtesy of KC
