Member Article

Businesses urged to support communities as recession bites

A North East businessman is urging companies not to abandon their community work as belts tighten to weather the economic downturn.

Simon Pearson, chairman of digital and recruitment company Pearsons, has been directly involved with business projects in the community for more than 10 years.

The Middlesbrough-born businessman started Pearsons 22 years ago, but three years ago he took a step back to concentrate on its strategic development, network within the business community and become involved in additional corporate social responsibility work.

The schemes he has been involved with range from helping young people set up their own businesses, to giving youngsters with additional needs the chance to find work and gain qualifications.

But he is concerned that as the recession bites, more and more businesses will cut their CSR work.

“Using business skills to help others in the community is something I feel incredibly passionate about,” said Mr Pearson. “As business owners and managers we have a social and moral duty to put something back into the community where we live and work.

“But with today’s economic climate, we’re all looking at our bottom lines and at costs. I believe it’s even more important than ever that we don’t turn our backs on these projects because our business skills and input can make a real difference to the lives of others.”

Mr Pearson believes that companies stand a better chance of recruiting by being caring employers - including working within the community.

“It generates good PR and in a very competitive world, sometimes your CSR credentials can make the difference between winning and losing a contract. The most effective economic regeneration actually comes from within. My only regret is that we didn’t do it a lot sooner.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .