PRESS RELEASE14 February 2006
Do you know how important your community is?Sir John Banham speaks at EEDA’s IDEAS Talk
“Your community is central to your future and can be the foundation of your success.”
This is what businesses from across the region will be told by Sir John Banham at the East of England Development Agency’s (EEDA) fourth IDEAS Talk.
Sir John, former director-general of CBI and chairman designate of Johnson Matthey, will speak to over 400 business people on the 7th March at the American Air Museum, Duxford and explain that working with your local communities should be a goal for us all, and not just the large multinationals.
Sir John Banham said: “There is a myth that if you are a small or medium sized company, you do not have to invest in your community – but as we all know that is not the case.. By working closely with voluntary and charitable organisations not only are you giving something to your community, you are strengthening the skills of potential employees and assisting its future growth.
“I hope to make the point to the audience that working with local communities is a valuable business strategy that will benefit not only for your reputation, but also your profits.”
The IDEAS Talk is the fourth held by EEDA since the first Talk in 2003 where PY Gerbeau discussed the importance of staff to the growth and success of a business. Two further talks with Edward de Bono and Sir John Harvey Jones have since been held and in total over a thousand business people have attended. The IDEAS Talks are part of the East of England space for ideas campaign, which will cement the region’s reputation as Europe’s ideas region.
Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said: “I know this is going to be an exciting event. Sir John has vast experience and has recently completed a corporate social responsibility survey for the brewers Whitbread. I know I am going to learn a lot and I am sure all those who are attending will be inspired to look at how they can work for the benefit of their communities.
“The Talk will be used to promote EEDA’s innovative Investing in Communities programme, which is transforming the way that the private, public and voluntary and not for profit sectors work together to tackle deprivation and inequality to grow the regional economy. Encouraging the private sector to work with local communities is a vital part of this programme, and Sir John is a great advocate for the mutual benefits that working with local communities can bring to the private sector.”
The event starts at 6.30pm on Thursday 7th March to reserve your place please log on to www.spaceforideas.uk.com/ideastalk
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Notes to editors:
For a photograph of Sir John Banham please contact the EEDA press office on 01223 484699.
About Sir John Banham
Sir John Banham is one of the most experienced leaders of UK plc. Ex-Director General of the CBI, he has chaired some of Britain’s most successful businesses: Whitbread, Kingfisher, Tarmac and Geest. He created enormous value for all these businesses during his tenures. He is currently chairman designate of Johnson Matthey. Most recently he completed a major CSR review for Whitbread plc.
About EEDA
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The vision is for the East of England is to create a leading economy, founded on a world class knowledge base, creativity and enterprise to improve the quality of life for all who live and work here. For further information visit www.eeda.org.uk
For further press information
Tony Taylorson, press officer at EEDA, tel: 01223 484699, mobile: 07734 147345, email: tonytaylorson@eeda.org.uk
