• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Tuesday February 17 2015

Business Against Poverty signs up its 100th member

Trowbridge-based charity Business Against Poverty has signed a landmark member.

Plumbing specialist John Williams Heating – based in Chippenham and currently the holder of the Enterprising Wiltshire Awards Business of the Year title – has become the charity’s 100th member.

Debbie Williams, director at John Williams Heating Services stated: “As a successful, family-run company it is inspiring to be involved with a local charity that brings us together with other SMEs and individuals in the region. We’re looking forward to an exciting partnership with BaP in the year ahead.”

BaP was established by People Against Poverty in 2009 to provide a platform for the charity to work with businesses for networking, fundraising and to promote ethical business practice.

Since then, it has launched an enviable series of initiatives and events, including the BaP Business Skills Academy and the popular BaP Ball held annually in Bath.

A recent members’ survey found that half of the members had been with the charity for two years, with 39 percent remaining loyal over three years.

Many stated that the reciprocal ethos was a major factor, thereby demonstrating that BaP’s mantra of ‘a handshake, not a handout’ reaps rewards.

The high visibility and personal enthusiasm of the leadership team has reaped dividends, with 39 percent of members stating that they joined as a result of having met CEO, Valerie Huxley, or chairman Bill Huxley.

Almost all of the members come from Bath and Wiltshire.

Mr Huxley said: “We are delighted with the feedback as this helps direct our activities for the future.

“It’s a huge sense of achievement to welcome John Williams Heating Services as our 100th member. We’re ready for 2015 and can’t wait to start working with the next 100 members.”

For more information, log on to www.businessagainstpoverty.com