We do love a new year. The chance to look back and reflect on the previous year – the good, the not so good, and the downright iffy – and then, a little wiser, start all over again with a clean page. Time to design, create, and embrace a whole new year. Welcome, 2018!
But first, here’s a look at what we achieved in 2017 …
Remember the Comms for Good launch event at the Cancer Centre with Dimbleby Cancer Care? On the 1st March 2017, surrounded by our comms peers, prosecco in hand, we introduced the concept of banking industry collaboration for good. Brilliant Harriet Allner inspired us to not just talk but take action for positive change; and wise Chris Gledhill reminded us that the reputation of the banking industry is still poor, so the idea that banking can work together to be socially responsible is very powerful.
That night we launched our first industry-wide charity campaign – a 50km night walk across London in support of our hosts, Dimbleby Cancer Care.
Hence, on the night of Friday 9th June, London’s banking world put on its walking shoes and took to the streets to walk 50km and, with help from Temenos, Starling, Pushfor, and Deutsche Bank, raised a whopping £8000 for cancer patients and their families along the way.
Next, at the end of July, the Comms for Good website was born; one of those seemingly small and insignificant steps that was a long time in the making… but with it came fresh motivation.
And so, in September, when the world went back to school, off we went in search of an inspiring new cause to support. Finally, in October, we were introduced to the wonderful social enterprise in Soho that is The House of St Barnabas, and decided to make London’s homeless the focus of a new winter campaign.
The 
House of St Barnabas campaign – give a gift of employment – calls for the banking world to join forces to promote social inclusion by raising funds to support and mentor a homeless person through the charity’s employment academy and into lasting employment.
The campaign has had huge industry support from fintech friends at companies such as Bud, Curve, 11:FS, Finastra and FirstWord Media – we’ve raised £1602 so far – and, in many ways even better, it’s inspired a ripple of follow on events…
This brings us neatly to January 2018 and … wait for it … #Cake4Good and the #FintechCakeBake 😀
Details to follow, but block your diaries for the 25th January and be ready to bake up a storm at Level 39 Canary Wharf alongside Liz Lumley, Ghela Boskovich, Asif Faruque and other banking and fintech legends.
Since 2018 is kicking off with cake, it’s off to a great start! We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.
Putting generosity at the heart of doing business 