Sponsored Editorial

Medway Norse Operations Director Andy Mann believes that the direct involvement of local companies benefits the community, social support organisations and the businesses themselves.

I often chat to other local business leaders about the importance of the commercial sector playing a leading role in supporting the communities they are involved with, delivering social value in difficult times.

This could include sponsoring local sporting, cultural and community activities; providing mentoring to local voluntary organisations and start-up businesses; ensuring that we help our suppliers thrive; and purchasing from local small and medium businesses.

We all acknowledge that the business world is often thought of only in terms of the bottom line and returns to shareholders. However, security of employment, social value, public interest and environmental sustainability are rising higher on the corporate agenda.

Organisations small and large are embracing more far-reaching objectives in the emerging Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) business standards. There are a range of issues surrounding what businesses’ impact in these areas is - and what it should be.

Improving people’s lives is a fundamental part of Medway Norse’s public service ethos. But for all businesses it’s not just about being seen to support their local communities - improving people’s lives creates a strong bond with all stakeholders and helps to create a better society - and I believe that it’s also good business sense.

However, local communities also need to be proactive in telling us about their needs. This will help us in the business world deliver better social value. The success of companies, communities and the public sector coming together during the pandemic made it clear that building closer social ties is a two-way street.

Has the support mobilised during the pandemic carried on into the interaction of companies with wider communities? Has the value of responsibility for staff welfare outside work become embodied in business culture? Is the corporate world’s social conscience sufficiently responsive to the impact of the financial crisis? These are questions that I believe the business world needs to keep asking itself.