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Leathersellers’ Strategy Update
Guiding Principles
GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN OPERATION
As intended our Guiding Principles have been and are being actively practised and reflected upon. In the last few years they have continued to provide a useful framework to help us describe and understand our work, informed and affirmed by six centuries of history. It is because they are based on enduring characteristics that we have seen the extent of their application, from accessing and explaining areas of our work in conversation and communications, to staff appraisals. Most evident in the work of the Foundation, but also in our approach to members, staff members, guests and partners, is our compassion . It is often embodied in the individual relationships we have, striving to really know, hear and understand the organisations and individuals we work with, and in the way we enable and connect communities across our portfolio of grantmaking, using our assets to add additional value to these relationships wherever we can. Our endeavour is driven through a desire for continuous improvement and where possible, demonstrable leadership, whether as a funder (evidenced by external reviews and feedback); in the fellowship our members offer one another;
as a host in the quality of our events; or in stewarding our assets, from moving corporate and Foundation investments to ESG managed funds to the completion of major defining projects such as the full renovation and letting of St Helen’s Place. The ability to respond quickly, innovate, and engage with new and long-standing partners is marked by our independence . This imparts the space and confidence to explore new ideas and opportunities, review evidence, and consider the strategic needs of the portfolio or work area. We have pivoted into new areas such as supporting the care-experienced, consistent with our history of engaging with under-served communities; not to mention the continuation of a dedicated fund for responsive grant making which is being used to great effect, not just funding critical work, but also as a wider tool to signal understanding and awareness of social issues that often require national recognition. In the City of London, our independence affords us the flexibility to collaborate with other livery companies with whom we share common purpose.
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