Business leaders join charities to build a positive future for Scotland

Charities and businesses across Scotland are joining forces in an innovative event on “civic leadership”. The half-day event brings together The Open University, TSB Bank and Cyrenians as well as the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce in a bid to unite the skills and common drive of both third sector organisations and businesses looking to create a better future together. 

This unique partnership, will bring together delegates from across the third, public and private sectors, to share best practice and The Open University will showcase tools to help organisations deliver their business goals.

James Rees, Co-Director of the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership at The Open University Business School will outline the unique free online resources that The OU has created to strengthen leadership.

Cyrenians are one of the partners in this innovative gathering. They work with the homeless and vulnerable to help transform their lives.

“Businesses in Scotland are not separate from the communities they serve.” said Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive Officer.

“Business and third sector partnerships model the relationships which are the bedrock of a socially inclusive society and a settled community. Building social purpose into business decisions is not an add-on, it’s a sign of a business doing well because it is doing good.” he explained.

Another partner in the event, TSB Bank, recently returned to the high street as a direct result of the economic crisis ten years ago. They will share their experience of building a new purpose-driven business built on the founding principles of Reverend Henry Duncan, who sought to address the economic needs of his parishioners as well as their spiritual ones.

According to Bola Gibson, TSB’s Head of Community Engagement, “Businesses today need to think differently about their role. Since relaunching TSB we have been working to do just that.” 

Director of The Open University in Scotland, Susan Stewart, said she was “delighted to be a lead partner in such an exciting event that will help make Scotland a stronger society. This fits in with our ethos of opening up education to the widest community and we are looking forward to developing partnerships with others to achieve this.”

‘Reimagining civic society. A new paradigm for Scotland’ is a free event that will be held on Tuesday 10 October from 12.15pm to 5.00pm at the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel. Tickets are limited but may be booked via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reimagining-civic-society-a-new-paradigm-for-scotland-tickets-37447288849

Photo credit: JP Morgan Team Challenge at Cyrenians Farm