Celebration of Business event is success at Ely Cathedral

“Social enterprise is about doing good business - where every pound spent improves someone’s life” was the theme of Big Issue founder Lord Bird during an address to business leaders in Ely.

He was one of two key note speakers at the annual Celebration in Business event that attracted 100 businesses to share their endeavours to visitors throughout the day.

Lord Bird believes all businesses have a duty to “create a trail of good behind you” and his theme resonated among his audience, one of whom later described it as “inspirational – full of references to transformation and dismantling poverty”.

Social responsibility was also a theme in the second evening address by Louise Nicholls, corporate head of human rights, food sustainability and food packaging at Marks and Spencer.

She described how society needed to change in order to survive for the future.

Enterprise East Cambs, the district council’s economic development unit, felt the day had been a great success.

Their delegates were there throughout the day and helped with the chamber of commerce ‘grow your business’ event earlier where the focus had been on employee development, apprenticeships and training.

Ely Business Group also encouraged donations throughout the day and evening for their designated charity, Ely Foodbank.

“In recent years we have raised over £5,000 for the Foodbank helping with the development of services in Soham, Littleport, Sutton, Chatteris, and March,” said a spokesman.

To donate to the Foodbank fundraising page visit: www.localgiving.org/fundraising/ecbg-4-elyfoodbank/

Around £300 was raised during the evening wine and canape reception.