Bank drives ‘responsible business’ in uni link-up

A MAJOR new research centre aimed at promoting responsible business is to be launched in Birmingham.

Lloyds Banking Group has teamed up with the University of Birmingham for a five-year, £2.5 million programme to transform responsible business practice in the banking industry and beyond.

It will be housed in the university’s business school and named the Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business.

The bank said it was the largest single research grant the school had received and it would address the many issues of embedding responsible business practice in the banking industry.

New ‘Principles of Responsible Business’ modules will also be added to the school’s undergraduate, masters and MBA programmes in 2018.

A new academic post will also be created – the Lloyds Banking Group chair in responsible business. The centre will be launched in the autumn, coinciding with the arrival of the new dean of Birmingham Business School Professor Catherine Cassell.

Martin Dodd, Lloyds Banking Group’s ambassador for the Midlands, said: “It’s our belief that restoring trust with the public remains a critical task for us as a bank and the industry as a whole.

“We believe it is in our own hands to rebuild this trust. This can only be achieved through a healthy corporate culture in which every individual is valued for the skills, enthusiasm and dedication they bring to the business.

“Ingraining a healthy corporate culture across the industry and beyond should be a priority. The establishment of this centre will aim to address the many issues of embedding responsible business practice.”