ST. JAMES'S PALACE, LONDON, Jan. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Today a delegation of 12 Canadian CEOs met with H.R.H. The Prince of Wales to discuss their plans to advance the cause of socially responsible business in Canada.
"Business has a role to play in addressing social issues," said the group's leader Pavi Binning, President of George Weston Ltd. "We want to bring about systemic change and believe learning from the Prince's decades of experience in this area is the best place to start". Other companies represented include RBC, Daniels Corporation, Xerox Canada, Borden Ladner Gervais and Ground Effects Environmental Services.
The CEOs are all involved in The Prince's Seeing is Believing initiative, an experiential program for senior business leaders created by His Royal Highness to close the gap between the boardroom and the community. C-suite executives take a day out of their offices and gain a new perspective on social issues. They are then challenged to use their positions, contacts and resources to tackle the issue in a systemic fashion. After 20 years running in the United Kingdom, the program has come to Canada where it is currently focused on issues affecting disadvantaged young people and delivered by The Wellesley Institute.
"CEOs solve problems for a living" said Amanda Sherrington, President of Prince's Charities Canada. "With PSiB we challenge leaders to put those skills to work for their communities. The goal is to see both the companies and the communities they serve transformed for the better".
The group's visit began on Monday meeting with The Prince's Business in the Community (BitC), a business-led charity focused on promoting socially responsible business practices. BitC is also responsible for delivering the Seeing is Believing Program in the United Kingdom.
In the State Apartments at St. James's Palace today the Canadians heard from the experiences of UK CEOs who've participated in PSiB before moving into a private audience with The Prince of Wales. During the meeting, the group discussed the achievements of BitC as well as The Prince's recent visit to Canada where he met with PSiB participants at the Yonge St. Mission in Toronto.
During the meeting, the CEOs each made commitments to The Prince to recruit business leaders from across the country to build a network of those committed to socially responsible business.
"We've started something powerful here", observed Mr. Binning. "Now the real work begins".
Image with caption: "Canadian CEOs meet with HRH The Prince of Wales in the Royal Dining Room at Clarence House. (CNW Group/Prince's Charities Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130129_C9469_PHOTO_EN_23101.jpg
SOURCE: Prince's Charities Canada
Matthew Rowe, Prince's Charities Canada
011-44-7453-861-915 / [email protected] / www.princescharities.ca
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