Introducing CSR's Unsung Heroes

Corporate social responsibility or CSR is dryly defined as ‘the voluntary action a business can take, over and above compliance with minimum legal requirements, to address both its own competitive interests and the interests of wider society’ (www.csr.gov.uk).  But behind the jargon, an organisation called Scottish Business in the Community Grampian (SBC Grampian) exists to broker better, more productive relationships between Grampian businesses and local community groups.  Not just because it looks good but because it is the right thing to do. 

Over the past five years, SBC Grampian’s managers Alex Gauld and Bill Ferguson, have quietly secured nearly half million pounds worth of community investment, improving the lives of over 16,000 local people.  They are well-known locally, but Bill admits that “we’ve kept a low profile, preferring to gently persuade businesses about the benefits of investing in their communities over a coffee, rather than shouting from a podium”.

Alex’s career has spanned a number of specialist posts in the statistics, finance, training and HR fields but he found his vocation in 2003 when he was seconded from the Civil Service to SBC to establish the Grampian team.  “Meaningful community investment isn’t easy,” Alex explains, “but I get a buzz from facilitating smarter working between businesses and their communities.  Something quite small from a business can make a massive difference to a community project.  Every week I witness how the skills, expertise and resources of the business community make huge differences to community projects.  At the same time, company staff do not realise the talent they have to offer so reap huge rewards by sharing that knowledge with community projects.  It’s a win:win - the business gains new confidence while the community project learns new skills.”

Alex was born in Banff and wouldn’t want to broker business and community relationships anywhere else.  “The North East is home territory and our culture encourages people to help one another.  It makes my job just a little bit easier.”

Bill Ferguson held several senior leadership positions during his career with Clydesdale Bank PLC and was Chief Executive of Aberdeen Enterprise Trust.  In 2002, Bill decided he set up his own consultancy business which has contract with SBC Grampian to provide managerial support and services. 

“SBC Grampian brings business and community together to fulfil five purposes,” Bill explains.  “We use community resources to facilitate team building for local businesses to cultivate staff morale.  We encourage businesses to engage with schools to prepare young people for work.  We also coordinate management support from businesses to support social firms and recycle office equipment to channel business resources into communities – sometimes literally hiring the van to move desks and computers from one place to another!  Lastly, we organise an annual community sports tournament to improve the health and confidence of young people.” 

The SBC Community Sports Challenge includes training and mini competitions in touch rugby, golf, rock climbing, football and basketball.  Now in its third year, the Challenge is designed to help tackle the provision of ‘diversionary activities’ for young people in the deprived areas of Aberdeen – particularly on the worst night in the City for anti social behaviour, Friday night. The Challenge is sponsored by Opito, Apache, Wood Group, First Group, Aramark, Maersk and Hot Chilli Design, amongst others, and runs until October when the finals are held.

“It’s relatively easy for businesses to help charities or community projects financially,” cautions Alex.  “I would like to see each business link with a community project and allow staff to work with that group and their clients.  The simple fact that someone believes in, cares about and has an interest in that person would have a profound impact across the city.  We’re supported by our board members from companies including PSN, Aramark, John Lewis, Ernst and Young, Loftus Signs, ASM, First Group, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and ACVO.  Our board members prove that some of the most valuable CSR contributions a company can make is by donating time and brainpower.” 

Bill nods vigorously: “It is incredibly satisfying working with committed people and with enlightened companies that take their social responsibility seriously.  But it goes even further than that.  I believe businesses have a social obligation to give a helping hand.  If every business aligned itself with a local charity or community organisation, either in their patch or elsewhere in the city, it would generate a massive positive impact on the lives of thousands of people in Aberdeen.”