Dame calls on businesses to support their communities

By Tim Aldred

25 Oct 2023

Dame Julia Cleverdon

Dame Julia Cleverdon, who earned her honours for a life dedicated to serving communities and charitable causes, sounded a rallying cry for Fylde businesses to support young people.

Dame Julia served for 16 years as chief executive of Business in the Community and was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2008. She made her remarks to 150 attendees at the Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network’s 5th Anniversary event held at Blackpool Football Club.

She said: "When it comes to energy, drive, resilience and the can-do factor the Blackpool business community has it in spades. Can we harness that and get the business community to work collaboratively to make Blackpool an unstoppable force?

"It’s the business world who can make so much difference. Everyone needs something to do, someone to love, something to look forward to. By concentrating on doing what only you can do, you in the business community can help make that happen for people across this community.”

The Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network, funded by local business Beaverbrooks since its inception, connects those with the passion and expertise to support community projects which deliver the town’s plan of making Blackpool an even better place to live and work.

Sean Egan, director of DES Energy, told the meeting that his business had taken on 83 apprentices in 23 years. He said: "When Dame Julia gave us all the call to action 12 months ago we thought about what we could do to help so we have created more opportunities for young people by taking on more local apprentices.”

JJ Fitzgerald, managing director of Evolution, shared how he is giving a second chance in life to young people who might have had a tough start, including those outside mainstream education across Blackpool, Fleetwood and the rest of Fylde Coast.

Thanks to connections made through the network JJ linked up with Viv Thomas of Educational Diversity, Blackpool, to work with young people at a pupil referral unit and was blown away by their entrepreneurial spirit with one young person delivering an 84.4 per cent return on a £10 investment challenge.

JJ said: “I am determined to fight for people in our communities, so that if you are someone who grows up here you have the same opportunities as someone growing up in a more affluent area of the country.

“Our experience of working with these young people is that they are amazing, and we want to do more to help young people get on the right track. If you have a rewarding job and a decent home you have the foundations to build a better life.”

Through linking up with the network on a range of initiatives, Eddie Nelder, managing director of Choice Hotels, has given 120 young people work experience opportunities and employed three full-time care leavers.

Matt Porter, managing director of Hesketh Press, has also engaged with young people to offer opportunities through a link-up with Claire Gilmour, headteacher at Larkholme Primary School, Fleetwood.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin