Docklands philanthropy changes lives of East Londoners

22nd NOvember 2013

A new study from Queen Mary University of London showing the philanthropic side to the financial giants of Canary Wharf should go some way to challenging public perceptions of the area as full of corporate “fat cats” with no real engagement with the surrounding community.

The report, based on an analysis of corporate reports, interviews and surveys of local representatives, found that, in the words of Professor Cathy McIlwaine of Queen Mary’s School of Geography, “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is being taken extremely seriously by the corporations”, highlighting the depth and extent of corporate-community and philanthropic relationships that have developed since the regeneration of the area began in earnest around twenty years ago. Professor McIlwaine added that “The core question for these companies is now how to do effective CSR, not whether to do it”, and said they fill “an important gap in support for a wide range of organisations in the current climate of austerity”.

Source:   London 24