Leeds City Council has launched a new network to support large businesses across Leeds to drive forward positive social outcomes and contribute to the delivery of inclusive growth across the city.
Building on the success of the Leeds Anchor Network, the council is launching Leeds Business Anchors. An initiative to bring together large businesses operating in Leeds, that are committed to working together to create growth in the Leeds economy that works for everyone.
Membership of the network is underpinned by a commitment to complete the Business Anchors Progression Framework – a tool to help businesses shape their contribution to inclusive growth across four key areas: employment, procurement, environment and assets, and corporate and community behaviours.
Developed in partnership with large businesses in Leeds the framework has been adapted from the approach used with public sector anchors and enables firms to take an ‘anchor’ perspective on their relationship with Leeds, providing them with an effective tool to measure their impact on driving forward inclusive growth.
‘Anchor’ working refers to the ways in which organisations can positively contribute to the place where they operate, strengthening the local economy, and contributing to employment, skills and health and wellbeing for local people.
Social impact is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes and the framework will provide an innovative way for business to evidence their local impact and provide a vehicle for reflection on their progress and ambitions.
Having tested the framework businesses are now coming together to form a network to identify ways they can work together to maximise their impact for Leeds.
Leeds Building Society, a key employer in the city with a significant history of delivering positive social outcomes and a founding member of the network, used the framework to sense check their responsible business strategy and ensure the progress aligned with the city’s needs and ambitions.
Wendy Carter, Responsible Business Lead at Leeds Building Society, said: “Being part of a network of organisations committed to responsible business will allow us to work together to have greater social impact in the city.”
