Business Connectors

Business Connectors are a powerful network of secondments recruited from business and supported and trained by Business in the Community to tackle social issues in local neighbourhood areas, and in so doing, create a powerful new development experience for talented business people. The Business Connectors programme aims to increase the positive impact of business in local communities by harnessing expertise from business to tackle local needs.

The Business Connector model of long term business secondments will create a culture change in the private sector and a new relationship between business and communities. As well as creating a new level of trust and cohesion in our communities, the knowledge and skills that Business Connectors gain from will create better businesses. A national network of Business Connectors will go back into their businesses as champions of this work inspiring the next generation of Business Connectors to come forward.

The programme has proven clear and compelling benefits for:

• Companies making secondments to the programme
• The individuals  - in terms of personal and professional development - undertaking the Business Connector role
• The communities in which Business Connectors are working

The Business Connector will work at a local level to establish connections that lead to actions between the private sector and voluntary / community organisations. The Connectors will typically operate at neighbourhood level reflecting the local community boundaries.  The Business Connector will play a key part in facilitating private sector support for organisations focusing on local education, enterprise or employment.  These may include:

• Helping young people into education training or jobs
• Supporting local community organisations to survive or increase their provision, with support from the local private sector
• Increasing the level of community participation and cohesion
• Facilitating business mentoring, role modelling, skill enhancement activity for: young people; community organisations; social enterprises; etc