GlaxoSmithKline donation will support business initiatives in Angus

GlaxoSmithKline has donated over £27,000 to support further Scottish Business in the Community initiatives in Angus.

The money represents unclaimed grants from the Angus and Mearns Economic Development Fund, which pharmaceutical company GSK launched with £750,000 to mitigate the effect on the local community of the decision to offer its Montrose manufacturing site for sale.

Although GSK later decided to retain the Montrose facility the fund ran its course and was considered a major success creating 290 new jobs against a target of 190 and supporting over 260 businesses against a target of 140.

With the fund closed to new applications the management panel continued to allocate grants, some of which were phased in line with applicants achieving conditions. This activity has virtually concluded and, in the spirit of the original fund, GSK has decided to donate unclaimed grants to organisations which support business development and growth in the region.

In establishing the fund a number of key partnerships were developed involving GSK and regional business development organisations. As well as offering advice on how GSK’s £750,000 donation could be used to best effect, SBC took on the role of day to day management of the fund.

“SBC readily accepted what was a novel role for them in agreeing to manage the fund and did a great job,” commented Alan Catterall, GSK Montrose Site Director. “In deciding how best to allocate the residue from the fund we recognised the continuing work SBC is doing in brining businesses and communities together in the Angus region and wanted to further support this.”

As well as looking after the fund’s administration, SBC was an early beneficiary receiving £100,000 to set up the Angus Business Support Group, increasing its network throughout Scotland of partnerships of businesses and public sector agencies that tackle key economic and social issues.

The funding from GSK, in addition to support from Angus Council and Careers Scotland, will allow SBC to continue to engage businesses in the region with communities. Ian Munro, SBC’s newly appointed manager in Angus, says the funding will allow businesses to respond to local needs.

‘This donation further underlines GSK’s commitment to support business development in the area. SBC has a proven track record in bringing businesses and communities closer together. With a particular focus on engaging with schools we will enable businesses to contribute to the educational development of young people in Angus’.

For further information contact

Philip Brown Tel 01748 833822; Mobile 07932 120858