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Carla Bates, the first winner of KPMG in the Channel Islands’ BRIGHT initiative, will spend time with colleagues from across the world on a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) placement in Namibia this month.
Carla Bates, the first winner of KPMG in the Channel Islands’ BRIGHT initiative, will spend time with colleagues from across the world on a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) placement in Namibia this month.
The BRIGHT initiative is KPMG’s first cross-border corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and encourages staff to use their professional skills to “Act Local and Act Global” to support the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Introduced to the Channel Islands for the first time this year, the scheme invites KPMG staff to come up with innovative projects that promote the use of their professional skills to benefit their local community.
Ms Bates’ winning idea – a financial literacy workshop for Jersey schools – was among 20 applications from within the Channel Islands and was chosen for its innovation, potential impact and compatibility with the firm’s existing CSR framework. Points were also given for content and presentation skills during the judging to a panel of directors.
As well as implementing her idea locally, Ms Bates will join other winners from KPMG’s global network on her MDG placement.
“The scheme is a great way for KPMG to pull together globally as well as to add value to local communities. I was thrilled to have my idea selected by the panel of judges. I have enjoyed being part of our annual school reading projects and other initiatives and I see this as a really good chance to build on this,” said Ms Bates.
Earlier in the year, Ms Bates spent two days in London at a training course with other BRIGHT regional winners ahead of her forthcoming placement in Namibia.
“The training was invaluable and covered every aspect in preparing us for our placements, from general health and safety to country-specific. We also met with partners from the charities and a colleague from KPMG in London who I will be working with during my placement.
“I am very excited as Namibia was my first choice – there is a huge range of placements on offer but this one really appealed as it involves working with the charity Child Helpline International, teaching IT skills.
“It is the only placement working directly with local communities on the ground, making it quite unique. Not only will it be a very rewarding experience but also very compatible with my local financial literacy idea. I expect it to challenge me and develop my professional and personal skills in an entirely different way,” she said.
Andy Quinn, executive director of KPMG in the Channel Islands said: “Being a part of this global initiative is very exciting for the Channel Islands firm. The calibre of entries was impressive and it was tough to choose from all the ideas.
“As a firm we are eager to contribute to the significant impact the programme is already making across the globe. We have a full programme of community activities that are so well supported by our people. Our offices are full of talented individuals and all of the applications reflected this,” he said.
“BRIGHT is an amazing and unprecedented opportunity for our staff to help communities that we never see, never mind have the opportunity to help. It is also a great way for our staff to meet and work with other KPMG colleagues.”
KPMG’s Bright programme won the award for the “Best pro bono work for a charitable, social or ethical cause” category and second place in “Best community involvement in a corporate engagement programme” category at the Corporate Engagement Awards held in London last week (26 September 2013).
