From global to local - how any company can increase their CSR impact

Hosted in the stunning setting of the Biscuit Factory's Garden Room, this event will look at specific examples from local, national and international organisations of how they are creating meaningful social and environmental impact.

Under the pillars of People, Planet and Place we will hear from 3 speakers from Sage, Space Group and Seven Stories in terms of what they are doing in these areas.

The event is curated by Children's Cancer North, a North East charity whose aim is to make life better for children with cancer and is developed in partnership with Venture Zero who help organisations have a positive impact on their people, planet, and profitability by developing socially and environmentally connected workplaces.

Our Speakers:

PEOPLE:
Helen Devanny, Vice President Sage Foundation

Helen Devanny is the Vice President of Sage Foundation. Sage Foundation delivers social impact for Sage, the North-East based global technology leader in accounting, payroll and people software. Sage Foundation focuses on empowering underserved entrepreneurs as well as building the skills of the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Sage Foundation champions all Sage colleagues globally to make a difference locally through volunteering and fundraising.

Helen has led the Sage Foundation team for 5 years. As well as her career in social impact, Helen has worked in UK government in ministerial offices, focusing on digital and cyber security issues

PLANET:

Rob Charlton, CEO Space Group

Rob Charlton is a highly accomplished CEO with over 25 years of experience in the built environment sector. As the CEO of Space Group, which comprises SPACE Architects, BIMTechnologies, bimstore, and Twinview, Rob is dedicated to making buildings better by driving digital excellence and sustainable initiatives.

A Chartered Architect, Rob believes in the transformative power of design to create places that have a meaningful and lasting impact on people's lives.  His passion for architecture is evident in his unwavering commitment to improving project outcomes through innovation and creativity.

In addition to his working career, Rob has made significant contributions to advancing sustainability in the sector. He recently founded _shift, a not-for-profit climate conference focussed on decarbonising the built environment. _shift has inspired and mobilised the architecture and construction communities to take bolder steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. 

PLACE:
Wendy Elliott, CEO Seven Stories - the national centre for children's books

Event Moderators

Clare Blunt and Claire Thew, Directors Venture Zero

Claire Thew and Clare Blunt are experts in their respective fields of Environmental Sustainability and Mental Health and Wellbeing. Together they co-founded Venture Zero - a purpose-led organisation working cross-sector to engage businesses and communities to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world.

Claire has more than 20 years of experience in the environmental sector. Her passion is to engage with people in a way that inspires climate action. She is a certified Carbon Literacy Trainer, developing courses to help organisations and their staff to take small, affordable, everyday steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Clare's 20 year career has spanned social work in mental health, drug and alcohol services in the public sector and latterly has provided mental health support, wellbeing training, and coaching to individuals and organisations. Clare is a Mental Health First Aid instructor helping organisations to better understand the mental health needs of their people and to develop a culture where staff feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work.

This event is hosted and curated by Children's Cancer North,

Children's Cancer North is a North East charity with over 40 years of heritage in making life better for children with cancer in the North East and Cumbria. We have 3 core aims that that are;

• Fund research to help develop kinder treatments and discover cures for childhood cancer
• Support children and the families of children going through cancer treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital
• Raise awareness of the cause through our events and outreach

Thank you to Venture Zero, who are partnering with us on this event.

Venture Zero is a purpose-led organisation and works cross-sector to engage businesses and communities to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world. Venture Zero believe that organisations should be conscious of the synergy that exists between our health and wellbeing, the natural environment, and community engagement, and deliver training to inspire action in these areas. Their Impact Network aims to share knowledge, kickstart conversations and create connections, for North East based organisations to become better businesses.