A partnership of civil society and business organisations has met for the first time as the members set out to identify and develop solutions to societal challenges.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley yesterday chaired the first meeting of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, the advisory group for which includes civil society leaders such as NCVO chief executive Sir Stuart Etherington and Big Lottery Fund chief executive Dawn Austwick.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation chief executive Caroline Mason and Big Society Capital chief executive Cliff Prior are also part of the group. Business leaders involved include O2 chief executive Mark Evans, Grant Thornton chief executive Sacha Romanovitch, and National Grid chief executive John Pettigrew.

The partnership is being convened by DCMS and Cabinet Office, with support from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It will address issues relating to financial inclusion and capability, mental health and transition to work.

Over 80 individuals from business and civil society have already signed up to working groups for each of these areas, developing solutions to tackle these issues over the coming months.

The advisory group leading the partnership will meet at least twice a year over the next three to five years.

Bradley said the first meeting was hugely positive.

“This partnership brings together key leaders from the business sector and civil society world and working together we can help make a real difference to people’s lives,” she said.

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