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Natixis Global Asset Management Chooses Inspire!

Natixis and Inspire staff with young people at the partnership launch event

Natixis Global Asset Management, one of the world’s largest investment companies, has chosen Inspire! as one of its first two charitable partners in the UK.

The partnership was formally launched at City Hall where Inspire! and Natixis were joined by Team London, the Mayor of London’s volunteering initiative.

Natixis employees selected Inspire! after learning about the Inspired Directions School, which works with vulnerable young people aged 14-16, who have been excluded from, or are unable to access mainstream education. Providence Row, a homelessness service organisation based in East London, was selected as the other charity partner.

Chris Jackson, Executive Vice President and Head of International Product at Natixis Global Asset Management, said: “As we grow in the UK, we recognise the importance of investing in our local community and in the innovative organisations fuelling social change and making London a better place to live and work. Our partnership with Team London has been invaluable to making that happen.”

“Our approach to philanthropy has always been based on the needs of our charitable partners. With internal teams dedicated to each partner organisation, we’re able to make a much more profound difference by focusing on skills-based aid and volunteering,” said Jackson.

Natalie Cramp, Director at Team London commented: “Through the Mayor’s Corporate Commitment, Team London is working with London businesses to recognise the benefits of skills-based employee volunteering and supporting the next generation and the thousands of small charities that support millions of Londoners.  We are delighted that Natixis are mobilising their staff to support these two fantastic organisations to create more impact, and would encourage more businesses and individuals to get involved and use their professional skills to make a difference to small charities across the capital.”

Guests at the launch event watched a short video about the Inspired Directions School and heard from three young people whose lives it has changed: James, Tunay and Alicia. Alicia, who joined the Inspired Directions School last September, told the audience, “I had an awful experience of schools. I found it difficult to avoid conflict. At Inspire!, the teachers are respectful. I feel I can be myself but I know the staff expect a lot from me. I now want to work with animals and go to college and I have just heard that I have an interview at Capel Manor (College) to study animal care.”

David Blagbrough, Inspire!’s Director, commented: “This is Inspire!’s 10th anniversary year. To have this partnership, at this time, means we have a wonderful beginning to the next decade. It will enrich, strengthen and expand the work we do in challenging disadvantage.”

Natixis Global Asset Management staff will have the opportunity to volunteer on Inspire!’s programmes, helping to introduce and prepare young people for the world of work. The company has also undertaken to host work experience placements for secondary school and college students and to fundraise on behalf of the charity. All proceeds will be used to support the Inspired Directions School.