Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Globally recognised leader of social enterprise to give free Leeds talk
Paul Monaghan, Director of ‘Up The Ethics’, who was responsible for founding much of the UK Co-operative movement’s ethical and environmental excellence, will be telling the story of the 70,000 social enterprises operating in the UK today, and why their impact is more impactful than the corporate social responsibility schemes adopted by large listed businesses.
The event, which is run in association with the University’s Centre for Governance, Leadership and Global Responsibility, based within the Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett, will take place at 5.30pm to 7pm on Tuesday 9 February at the University’s Rose Bowl, City Campus.
Speaking ahead of the talk, Paul said: “The rise of the social enterprise is the great untold story of business. This revolution in sustainable development goes against the grain of conventional business practice and teaching, and for a long time has been largely unheralded. But change is afoot, and much of it originates from the social enterprise cauldron of West Yorkshire and East Lancashire.
“In the mid-19th century it was co-operatives and mutuals that drove corporate social responsibility. Today, they are joined by not only Benefit Corporations and Community Interest Companies, but pioneering listed multinationals. In a world where trust is ever harder to earn, it will be those who combine trade with a bold social and environmental purpose that are the business pioneers of the future."
In 1994, Paul was brought in to radicalise The Co-operative Bank’s approach to corporate ethics and ecology. He went on to lead sustainability programmes across the Co-operative Group in areas as diverse as Food, Finance, Pharmacy, Funerals and Travel.
In 2013 he left to establish ‘Up the Ethics’ to help pioneering social enterprises precipitate much needed systematic change. A major focus is encouraging and enabling corporate leaders to engage in progressive public policy intervention.
Paul Houghton, Principal Lecturer in Accounting, Finance and Economics at Leeds Beckett, added: “In 2014, Paul topped the Global CEO's ‘Top 100 CSR Leaders’ international poll - testament enough to his outstanding career and achievements. I have no doubt that Paul’s talk will be of great benefit to the people of Leeds and the wider region who are interested in making a difference through social enterprises.”
The full list of talks in the series is:
‘The Rise of Social Enterprise’ – Paul Monaghan, Expert in Corporate Ethics and Ecology. Tuesday 9 February 2016.
‘Engaging Leaders and Nurturing Entrepreneurs’ – Natalie Sykes, Regional Director, Institute of Directors, Yorkshire and the North East. Tuesday 23 February 2016
‘Fraud and Corruption in the World of Business’ – Chris Clements, Partner, Deloitte LLP. Tuesday 8 March 2016
‘Upside Down Management’ – John Timpson CBE, Chairman of Timpson Ltd. Tuesday 12 April.
‘Leeds: The City of Collaboration’ – Allison Page, Partner, DLA Piper and member of the Two Percent Club. Tuesday 26 April.
‘Governance – A Necessary Evil or a Driver of Performance?’ – Alex Simpson, General Counsel, Company Secretary and Chief Ethics officer, ASDA. Tuesday 10 May (8.30am to 10pm).