Member Article

Sage enters entrepreneurial-led partnership with Invictus Games

North East tech giant Sage has partnered with the Invictus Games Foundation in a bid to support former servicemen and women in transferring unique skills and experience to entrepreneurship.

Sage has announced that it will sponsor the upcoming Invictus Games Orlando 2016, as well as enter into a multi-year partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation.

The linkup will see the UK’s biggest tech company and the region’s biggest employer, support the Games, starting with the Orlando event in May 2016 and beyond.

The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, which were established by Prince Harry in 2014. The inaugural games were held in London in September 2014 and attended by over 400 competitors from 13 nations. The time around, they will take place in Orlando, Florida, and will see over 500 competitors from 14 nations compete in 10 sports.

Through its corporate philanthropy initiative, the Sage Foundation, a team of colleagues from Sage will volunteer at the Games, as part of the annual five days given to its 13,500 colleagues for supporting good causes.

Sage will also extend its mentoring and work placement programme for former military service personnel to all competitors looking to establish small businesses and learn business skills as they consider their careers beyond competitive sport.

At Sage’s customer event in Chicago 25-28 July, competitors from Invictus Games Orlando 2016 will be invited to join 20000 entrepreneurs to inspire them with their stories of determination and success.

This is part of a wide-reaching partnership that will be the centrepiece of Sage Foundation’s commitment to supporting service people when they leave the military.

Stephen Kelly, CEO, Sage said: “We believe entrepreneurs are the true heroes of the global economy, and supporting them is our passion. We want to do this in a way to play a positive role in communities through our Foundation.

“Particularly close to our heart is an enduring and treasured relationship with those who have given their service to their country – a special type of hero, so we are proud to pledge our ongoing global support to the Invictus Games.”

Sir Keith Mills, Chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation said: “I am thrilled that the Invictus Games Foundation is entering into a multi-year partnership with Sage.

“This partnership goes further than a simple sports sponsorship and will see Sage’s expertise in supporting entrepreneurs draw out the potential of the unique skills and experience of military servicemen and women. The Invictus Games inspires people considering life beyond the military and we welcome Sage as they join us on that mission.”

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