Future Arts’ scheme to reward companies who think ethical

A Leeds-based entrepreneur, who recently graduated from a business education programme funded by the investment bank Goldman Sachs, is rewarding companies who do their bit to help disadvantaged people.

Paula Temple, the founder of Future Arts, a not-for-profit digital creative company, has devised a scheme that accredits ethical buyers of digital media services.

The scheme will be formally launched on November 22 at The Loft in Cross York Street in Leeds, at an event which is due to include speeches from Tom Riordan, the chief executive of Leeds City Council, and Sally-Anne Greenfield, the chief executive of Leeds Community Foundation.

Future Arts offers support to young people who want to find work but face obstacles. They may, for example, be unemployed, live in a poor neighbourhood or suffer from mental health problems.

A spokesman for Future Arts said: “The importance of corporate social responsibility and ethical buying has increased considerably in the past few years. The social business to business certification is our commitment to delivering high quality digital media services, while investing all our profits into youth initiatives.”

The spokesman said the certification programme aimed to encourage profit-making companies to choose ethical suppliers.

Last year, Goldman Sachs announced that it was funding a business education programme in Yorkshire to help small businesses grow during the worst financial crisis in generations.

The programme, the first of its kind in the UK, is being delivered by experts from Leeds University Business School and Said Business School at Oxford University. Under the programme, entrepreneurs go on a four-month business and management course which has an emphasis on real-life practical experience.

Since it was launched last year, 52 Yorkshire businesses have graduated. Most of the courses have taken place at Shine in Harehills, Leeds, the social enterprise founded by American Todd Hannula.

It is part of a broader programme by Goldman Sachs to provide support for 10,000 small businesses.