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GLOBAL PLAYERS SCORING LOCAL GOALS
Think Global, Impact Local was the fitting title of a special, sold-out Well Connected event held at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium.
Taking place in the Beautiful Game lounge, the event welcomed more than 120 delegates for a powerful conversation about purpose-led business and how to create meaningful and sustainable social value within business operations while scaling globally.
Speakers and panel discussions offered insights into ways to build accountability into organisations and the importance of diverse and inclusive recruitment strategies.
Mark Baxter from ComCab spoke about the company’s commitment to maximising accessibility and inclusivity, exemplified by a fleet of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and its provision of services across the community, while contributing directly to the city region economy as a local business.
That was followed by a panel featuring Rishi Jain, director of impact at LFC, Graham Bond, partner at RSM, Stephanie Tickle, head of employment (NW) at Leadership Through Sport & Business, and Elena Enciso, head of international trade at Liverpool Chamber.
Graham shared multiple examples of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who have forged successful careers after entering RSM’s programmes for school and college leavers.
He said: “There are various career roles beyond the traditional accountancy route, such as project management or client services, where young people can thrive. We are passionate about providing opportunities for candidates to explore those options, regardless of their education or social background, and our programmes have helped to discover some fantastic talents and personalities who have gone on to enjoy flourishing careers across the firm’s international networks.”
Some of those have been placed in collaboration with LTSB, a social mobility organisation which helps young people to gain entry into business and finance sectors by offering bootcamps for professional and personal development and working in partnership with professional services employers such as RSM, BDO and DSG.
Steph Tickle said: “Our programmes get young people facing disadvantage ready for the world of work and into careers with leading employers. We prepare candidates for roles in sectors they may never have otherwise considered, place them with the right businesses and offer a level of pastoral care that helps both the candidate and the company to ensure the best chance of retention and success.
“We don’t just want young people to be more employable, we want them to find careers that will transform their lives, and RSM has been a fantastic partner for us in many success stories so far.”
Rishi Jain said: “As a locally-based organisation with fans across the globe, LFC are proud to play our part in driving positive change for our planet, people and communities and demonstrating what can be achieved when we combine tradition with innovation. More than half of the work of the LFC Foundation is non-footballrelated, delivering programmes that address education, health, and wellbeing. Its work spans the city region and reaches around the world, giving us a global competitive advantage.
“It’s often said that I talk a lot about binsit’s true, recycling is a passionate topic for me! Our Red Way sustainability programme, aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, incorporates targets on waste, but goes much further than that by creating a platform for change, both through our own operations and by working with our partners to find joint solutions to global challenges that affect us all. We will continue to use our voice to amplify these crucial messages.”
Elena, currently delivering the LCR Export
Broker Service for businesses, also offered testimonies from a number of export businesses which rely on Liverpool Chamber for documentation and support services. She said:
“There are many examples of member businesses I work closely with, which clearly recognise the importance of a strong ESG strategy and creating a positive local impact. One example is Algeos, a leading manufacturer and exporter of podiatry and footwear products, which is adapting its manufacturing processes to meet its sustainability commitments and has set out a strategy to reach net zero by 2028.
“Businesses are increasingly mindful of their responsibilities to the planet and their local communities and becoming more creative in how they reshape their operations to achieve those goals and enable them to be part of their value proposition when selling internationally.”
The hosted sessions were book-ended by informal networking, giving audience members even further opportunity to access expert intelligence and seek advice on to maximise their own opportunities for greater social impact and overcome any hurdles to realising their ambitions.
