Charities may be too worried about impact of Brexit on corporate partnerships

Charities may be unduly worried about the impact of Brexit on corporate partnership opportunities, according to a new study.

A survey of 118 UK companies and NGOs involved in corporate partnerships found almost 60 per cent of UK-based NGOs expect the EU referendum result to negatively affect the partnering agenda. Seventy-one per cent of international NGOs feared a negative outcome.

However, 67 per cent of UK corporate respondents and 76 per cent of international companies felt the referendum result would not have an impact.

C&E Advisory’s seventh annual corporate partnership barometer found 15 per cent of corporate respondents considered the UK’s exit from the EU will have a positive or significantly positive impact on partnership activity.

The online poll was carried out in June and July, with the EU referendum falling on 23 June. Manny Amadi MVO, C&E Advisory chief executive, said it is perhaps unsurprising that there was concern around the implications of the UK leaving the EU.

“But the good news is that the charity sector’s fears on the one hand are balanced by a ‘business as usual’ sentiment from the corporate side,” Amadi said. “Beyond uncovering concern about the long-term impact of the leave vote, the bigger picture remains encouraging: partnerships between companies and NGOs are becoming increasingly important in delivering positive societal change and in improving business practices.”