Technology giant Sage has announced a partnership with an organisation looking to tackle some of the economic and digital barriers that stop people achieving their potential.
The Newcastle company is working with the Purpose Coalition, which was formed by former Government Minister Justine Greening to help further her goal of boosting social mobility in the Ƶ.
Sage will work with the coalition on the development of 14 Levelling Up Goals focused on tackling the challenges facing the Ƶ after the pandemic and designed to improve access to opportunities for all.
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The move comes a few months after Sage launched a new sustainability and society strategy called Knocking Down Barriers which aims to use the company’s resources to tackle economic inequality and the climate crisis.
That plan also included a pledge to provide 10,000 children in the North of Tyne area with access to STEM skills education.
As part of the new partnership, Sage chief executive Steve Hare has joined the Purpose Coalition as a Levelling Up Commissioner focussed on Extending Enterprise. He will focus on what levelling up means when it comes to business creation and entrepreneurship as well as areas including diversity and inclusion, widening access to savings, responsible credit, and promoting good health and wellbeing.
Mr Hare said: “Sage is proud to partner with the Purpose Coalition as we strive to knock down the barriers to opportunity and equality in our society.
“We believe that extending enterprise by supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses is crucial to the success of the Ƶ’s levelling up agenda and welcome the opportunity to help drive these initiatives.
“As the Commissioner for Extending Enterprise, I, along with my Sage colleagues, look forward to playing a larger role in equipping small and medium size businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups or economically deprived backgrounds with the resources they need to thrive, unlock opportunities and accelerate their potential.”
Sage joins companies including Amazon, BP and Direct Line Group on the Purpose Coalition.
Founder Justine Greening, former Secretary of State for International Development, said: “The Levelling Up Goals provide a clear architecture for purpose-led organisations to measure and articulate their impact. Businesses need to recognise the wider role that they have to play in society and in creating equality of opportunity as we recover from the pandemic.
“I am delighted that Sage is taking a leading role on the Levelling Up Goals. Sage’s commitment to investing in its home region of the North East and its commitment to knocking down barriers to enterprise in the Ƶ ; helping entrepreneurs start their businesses and SMBs scale up and prosper, makes them a perfect partner for our ambitions.”
