Directors Report and Accounts 2021/22 - Report - Page 4
STRATEGIC REVIEW
Towards the end of 2021, we embarked on a full strategic
COUNCIL COMMENT
review process and invited members to participate in a
workshop as we began to shape ideas. These sessions
took place on 31st January and our Head of Member
Engagement, Kerrey Baker, was delighted with the
response.
She said: “We had intended to run two sessions but demand
was high and so we divided 130 members between ten
discussion workshops. This was the largest face-to-face
strategic review consultation to date and it gave us an
invaluable insight into the views of our membership.
“We discussed some emerging themes from the initial research,
which included topics such as gender equity, climate change
impact, expansion into other markets and certifications,
technology, risk, partnerships and technical assistance.
“What was prevalent from discussions across all workshops
QUEEN’S AWARD
OFFICIAL PRESENTATION
Almost two years after being recognised with the Queen’s
Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development
category, we were officially presented with the Award on
Thursday 10th March. It is the third time Shared Interest
has been awarded within this category, previously
recognised in 2008 and 2013.
Patricia continued: “Being awarded a Queen’s Award for
Enterprise for the third time makes this a very special honour.
Having received the Award in the Sustainable Development
category in 2008, and 2013, we felt that recognition again in
2020, during our 30th anniversary year, was an exceptional
achievement. We have since become an advocate of the
awards, as a Queen’s Awards for Enterprise Champion.
was the view that, regardless of what we consider in the
strategy, we must stay true to our mission and not lose focus on
the disadvantaged communities we support with our finance.
“There remains a strong support for fair trade and feedback
showed that we must continue to be mindful of the Fairtrade
Minimum Price and Premium as important components of this.
“In addition, from the external stakeholder consultations we
are undertaking, it is clear that Shared Interest is highly valued
and respected and seen as a pioneering organisation.”
We will bring you an update with details of our strategic plan in
the next issue of QR.
At a private ceremony led by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for
Tyne & Wear, Mrs Susan Winfield, Managing Director Patricia
“We would not be here today at all without the support of our
Alexander received the Award on behalf of Shared Interest.
UK membership. They continue to be extremely loyal and have
She said: “This is the result of the hard work and dedication
supported us throughout the pandemic.
of every single person involved in the organisation. It is a
badge of honour and symbol of pride that we are achieving
“Their investment is vital as the communities we support
our mission and fulfilling our role in meeting the Sustainable
are facing more complex challenges, including the impact of
Development Goals.”
climate change. We place significant importance on raising
AWARD SUCCESS
Shared Interest Managing Director Patricia
Alexander has been named as one of the
top 100 Women in Social Enterprise (WISE)
in the UK.
awareness of the environmental and economic challenges
Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Susan Winfield said: “It was a pleasure
faced by farmers and the innovative solutions they implement.
The annual WISE100 list is created by NatWest
Social & Community Capital in partnership with
to present Shared Interest with their Queen’s Award for
Enterprise. It is worthy recognition of the organisation's
“Access to finance is one of the most powerful tools
Pioneers Post. This year's Top 100 women were
continued ethical and social motivation to alleviate poverty by
businesses can have right now, so that they can keep supply
announced at the end of February, with Patricia
enabling people in remote and disadvantaged communities to
chains moving and make sound decisions for the future.”
appearing alongside a multitude of inspiring
trade and earn a living. My congratulations to all members of
female leaders. She was also named as a
the team who have achieved this Award.”
Social Investment Champion finalist.
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SHARED-INTEREST.COM
Main Article Image: The Shared Interest UK staff team receiving the Queens
Award from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear, Mrs Susan Winfield.
For the second year running, Fairtrade
Fortnight’s theme focused on climate change
and the need to support smallholder farmers to
adapt their practices in the face of climate-based
problems. In line with that theme, Shared Interest
ran a series of virtual events, concentrating
on the impact of climate uncertainties on
producers.
‘Respect for the Environment’ is of course one
of the 10 Principles of Fair Trade laid down
by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).
Furthermore, Shared Interest’s Member Survey
conducted in Summer 2021 noted 98% of
respondents expressing ‘interest’ or ‘deep interest’
in environmental issues.
So it comes as no surprise that in preparing
for its latest Strategic Review, Shared Interest
acknowledges that there will be increasing demand
for finance to address environmental impacts and to
build resilience for farmers and co-operatives. This
could take the form of technical assistance sitting
alongside financial support.
It is pleasing, therefore, to see our charity Shared
Interest Foundation scale up what it is doing in
this field. Hence, producer groups in Africa and
the Americas are being supported to incorporate
‘climate-smart’ practices.
Fair trade farmers may be slightly more resilient
to some challenges due to support through the
Fairtrade Premium, or Minimum Price. In large
co-operatives, greater working capital can
accumulate, it can be invested in disaster recovery
funds to help those most affected get back on their
feet. However, the majority of smallholders lack
the finance to implement desired changes when
hardship comes along. Therefore, a commitment
from the consumer to source or buy Fairtrade
products collectively means more money to
enable such farmers to address climate realities.
Decent wages enable investment in technologies,
training and infrastructure to increase resilience to
such shocks.
The Fairtrade Foundation has launched a
Fairtrade Climate Network, to connect and enable
collaboration between businesses sourcing from
Fairtrade supply chains. Businesses involved have
also signed the Fairtrade Climate Pledge. Some
well-known brands are already listed as participants
and it will be interesting to see how this develops.
Stephen Thomas
Member of Council
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