I used to think business and charity were worlds apart

When I worked in the corporate sector, I used to think that business and charity were worlds apart. My corporate life was all about the bottom line, growth, and outsmarting the competition. On the other hand, charities I thought were about compassion, giving back, and making the world a better place. It felt like two completely different worlds.

Driven by the relentless pursuit of targets, the prospect of volunteering at our local charity did not seem a priority. However, as part of the leadership team, we still wanted to use our corporate skills, to make a real impact. However, when we arrived, it was a far cry from our expectations as we taken into an old yard with a pot and some brushes to paint a wall. Our offers to help with marketing, IT systems, or HR strategies were met with blank stares, leaving us to tackle a neglected wall and start painting. That day, the divide between the corporate world and the charity sector felt wider than ever. Years passed, but the charity volunteering experiences remained the same, endless rounds of short-term activities, which failed to create any value for lasting change.

The pandemic changed everything, reshaping both the world and my career path. As the corporate world had to quickly adapt to keep up with society’s growing demand for purpose-led companies, I felt compelled towards helping support meaningful change. Leaving the corporate world was a leap of faith, but the chance to use my experience and bridge the gap between business and charity was an opportunity too good to miss.

Driven with a passion for creating positive change, I joined Remarkable Partnerships to use my corporate experience to start building shared purpose partnerships, that delivered equal lasting value for both corporations and charities. One partnership I helped create, is between Nomad Exhibitions and SolarAid. This is a great example of how a company can use its professional expertise to support a charity to achieve its mission. As a global leader in immersive exhibition stands, Nomad Exhibitions sought to demonstrate its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. SolarAid, an international development charity dedicated to providing clean, safe solar power, were perfectly aligned with Nomad’s sustainability goals. The clear shared purpose between them was a powerful combination that promised to make a real difference.

Nomad Exhibitions created a truly immersive stand for SolarAid that captivated audiences at a major London event. The stand transported attendees to the heart of a Malawian village, where the transformative power of solar light was brought to life. Visitors experienced firsthand how SolarAid’s work is changing lives, from education to healthcare. By creating such a compelling and immersive experience, Nomad helped SolarAid connect with a new audience of potential supporters, shining a spotlight on their vital work. In return, SolarAid prominently featured Nomad’s brand on the stand and on their website, demonstrating their strong partnership and the company’s dedication to a low-carbon future. Nomad Exhibitions continues to partner with SolarAid, providing essential visual guides to expand their reach and inspire new supporters.

My journey from corporate sceptic to passionate advocate for company-charity partnerships has been transformative. Once convinced that profit and purpose were worlds apart, I now see them as one. The collaboration between Nomad Exhibitions and SolarAid highlights how shared-purpose partnerships can harness the power of both sectors to drive positive change.

When companies and charities come together with a shared purpose, transformation happens. By us challenging outdated beliefs about these partnerships by unlocking the incredible potential that lies within these collaborations, we can create a world that’s better for everyone. It’s time to redefine what’s possible when companies and charities work together.

If you would like to book in a call with me to find out how you can transform your corporate charity partnerships approach, please use the link here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/peter-chiswick

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