East Midlands Chamber Corporate Social Responsibility Summit

Paul Bott, Chief Executive of Vista, was one of the speakers at the East Midlands Chamber Corporate Social Responsibility summit, held at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

The event marked the release of research on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The research, which Vista contributed to, shows that six out of ten businesses in the East Midlands have engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity in the past year, with 40% of them looking to increase their involvement in the coming year.

Chris Hobson, Policy Director at East Midlands Chamber said the key drivers for this were “overwhelmingly a strong desire to give back” to the East Midlands community.

Rob Mayo, East Midlands Chamber President, said: “The chamber has identified CSR as a key area to support its members in 2018.” Rob highlighted this as particularly important due to current pressure on public funding and the effect of the wider economic environment on charities.

Paul Bott, Chief Executive of Vista said “Each relationship starts as a conversation between a charity and a corporate, and like any relationship this has to be a mutually beneficial experience.”

The summit presented an interesting point on the kind of help that charities really want and need. While, of course, monetary donations are always welcome, there were repeated mentions of skill sharing and offering time as the ideal donation to charity.

Talking of his own experience Michael Halloran, Director of External Affairs at Capital One, said: “What [charities] really want from us is the skills we have”

Catherine Rustomji, Partner at Browne Jacobson, continued in this vein, noting that clients say “we’d much rather have people with skills come in, to help with contracts, or to look over a business plan”.

Vista is an award-wining charity and now reaches 12,500 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland each year. We have established relationships with corporate partners such as PKF Cooper Parry, Henry Smith Hamilton, Santander and Irwin Mitchell

We’re always looking at how we can be of greater benefit to children, young people and adults who are affected by sight loss in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

If you would like to discuss how you, or your company, can get involved then please contact our Fundraising Team at fundraising@vistablind.org.uk or on 0116 249 8801.