A force for good

Derbyshire Life speaks to East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles about the prominent role of businesses within our communities

- Nathan Fearn

Covid-19 continues to influence pretty much every aspect of our daily lives and it’s difficult to find many positives from this extraordinary period – they are, undoubtedly, few and far between.

Yet some can be found. There are the frontline, key workers we are all indebted to. There’s the sense of spirit that has been fostered – demonstrated through drawings of rainbows which still adorn house windows up and down the country and the clap for carers initiative, which succeeded in bringing people together in those dark early days of lockdown.

This sense of community has stood us all in good stead through the challenges and it’s here that we’ve arguably found another plus point; our communities’ increasing connection and synergy with business.

Given the largely rural nature of life in Derbyshire – certainly in bygone years – you could argue a tangible link between businesses and communities has always existed here. Thoughts turn to the family-run local firms in our towns and villages that have passed through the generations, the independent high street shops, the local newsagents, fishmongers, bakers, florists and all the long-lived institutions we take pride in supporting.

Even the larger companies, multinationals, household names and the like, are upping the ante with regards to their growing commitment to our local communities. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now much more than just a buzz word or a concept to pay lip service to.