Lancaster team builds world’s largest database of businesses supporting UN goals

By Rosebud

22 Jul 2022

cc-shaun-turner-colin-curtis-jonathan-nelson.jpg

An innovative Lancaster social enterprise is helping companies across the globe to improve their sustainability after investing in technology and research with the support of a Rosebud loan.

Support The Goals was established in 2018 by Colin Curtis and is based at Lancaster University. Through research, the organisation provides a rating to companies around the world based on their sustainability, which is judged against the globally recognised UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The initiative rates large publicly listed companies in the UK and Australia, such as Sainsburys, Auto Trader, and Australia and New Zealand Bank. It also provides free education to businesses, including SMEs, on how to build a sustainability strategy based on the UN goals.

In 2020, Support The Goals received a £30,000 loan from Rosebud, following an introduction by Lancashire’s Access to Finance service, which was used to invest in its rating platform as well as promoting the initiative.

Since the loan, the organisation has worked with more than 100 students at Lancaster University and is now helping businesses to understand how their suppliers are supporting these important sustainability goals, as well as providing them with free education. The platform is now understood to be the world’s largest database of business support for the UN goals.

Support The Goals currently has two full-time employees as well as a number of part time roles and funded placements. Colin is also looking to increase the number of full-time staff as the organisation continues to grow.

He said: “We currently have several hundred member firms as well as several thousand in our database. We have also had recognition from the UN for our work. The organisation isn’t about profits, it is about helping companies to become more sustainable by simplifying sustainability.

“Our plan is to continue to develop the platform, research supply chains and see exponential growth. We want to help students who we work with get opportunities and increase the number of sustainable roles we are providing,” he added.

Rosebud is owned by Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lancashire County Council. It aims to support the growth of Lancashire businesses and the local economy, offering loans between £10,000 and £300,000 as well as high-quality business support.

County councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, Lancashire County Council, said: “It is brilliant to see companies like Support The Goals using the fantastic knowledge base our Lancashire universities can offer to bring a positive difference to the world.

“Rosebud’s funding will help Support The Goals to grow, while also advancing the reputation of Lancashire as a leader in business research and improvement.”

Jonathan Nelson, senior loan manager, Rosebud, said: “As sustainability continues to become more important to organisations across the planet, demand for Support The Goals’s help will only grow.

“It is a unique organisation and I’m pleased Rosebud has been able to contribute to this growth. I look forward to seeing companies around the world increase their positive contribution to society with the help of Support The Goals.”

Rosebud is delivered by GC Business Finance. Businesses in Lancashire’s 12 local authority areas are eligible for the funding: Burnley; Chorley; Fylde; Hyndburn; Lancaster; Pendle; Preston; Ribble Valley; Rossendale; South Ribble; West Lancashire; Wyre.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

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

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

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