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Protecting our planet by caring for communities

For over fifty years, World Earth Day has mobilised the globe’s citizens to come together to recognise our individual and collective roles in protecting our planet.

Our fundamental responsibility to care for our environment and climate extends far beyond any single day, but it is a point to remember the actions – big and small – that contribute to looking out for our planet today and for the future to come.

Each year, The Ardonagh Group reflects on its role as part of this global effort to do better by our planet. Ardonagh’s annual sustainability report details the actions, areas of progress and commitments being made across its global group of companies in relation to the five pillars of its sustainability charter:

As The Ardonagh Group’s independent charity, ACT plays a key role in furthering the Group’s Society pillar and its commitment to making a difference to the communities connected to our businesses and colleagues around the world. Social sustainability is about managing and pursuing a positive impact on the communities that ACT and Ardonagh’s businesses serves, giving back in the spirit of ACT’s mission to make the world better, brighter and stronger.

The recently published 2023 report showcases action being taken by both ACT and The Ardonagh Group’s businesses to deliver positive impact.

2023 was ACT’s strongest year of financial giving since its inception, with a total of over £730,000 donated to hundreds of charities connected to our Ardonagh people.

A highlight was our Community Grant programme, which saw over £218,000 awarded to 48 different charities – our highest sum yet. Of these, 40% were put forward by colleagues in Ardonagh Global Partners, reflecting the Group’s further expansion to new territories around the world, alongside ACT’s determination to be accessible and to take action wherever our people are based.

International grants included homelessness charities in Brazil, childhood cancer research in Australia, a sports project in Ghana and many more.

Samando Mais Ações volunteers provide vital supplies to people in cities across Brazil.
I’m a volunteer at Samando Mais Ações, helping the organisation’s projects and actions on vulnerable communities. This grant will boost our impact that we have, especially with homeless people. I’m proud to be part of The Ardonagh Group, who really support charity initiatives and believe how this can change people’s lives and improve our respect for our communities.
Rayssa Alves – MDS Brasil, Ardonagh Global Partners – who successfully nominate Brazilian charity, Samando Mais Ações for an ACT grant to deliver summer support packages for people in need.

Another achievement in 2023 was reaching a new high for volunteering. In 2023, there was a 65% increase in volunteering hours recorded by colleagues – donating their time and skills to the causes that matter to them. Whether cooking up breakfasts, packing food parcels or clearing community spaces, our people got stuck in to making a difference.

Members of the Bishopsgate team got their aprons on ready to serve breakfast at Whitechapel Mission in London.
It was nice to give back and put in perspective the difficulties others face on a day-to-day basis. Even with the early 4am start, it was a really rewarding and humbling experience.
Katie Hamilton – Bishopsgate Insurance, Ardonagh Specialty – who along with a team from Bishopsgate volunteered at Whitechapel Mission in London to serve breakfast for homeless people.

Further illustrating ACT’s international mindset was this year’s Bright Future Prize, through which ACT empowers young people to spearhead their own community projects. In it’s third iteration, the Bright Future Prize saw teenagers from seven different countries apply – and took the total to date invested in the next generation of community leaders to over £110,000.

This year's Bright Future Prize finalists represented Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Portugal and South Africa.
The support from the competition will empower me to turn my passion into a reality and make a difference in my community I also hope other teenagers will be inspired to do good just like me.
Manganye Onndwela, South Africa, whose community bakery hub idea aims to support local people in rural Limpopo and give young people opportunities to develop their own entrepreneurial ideas.

ACT’s strengths as a global platform for giving shine bright, but we never stand still. Looking ahead, we will continue to evolve and develop our model to ensure ACT’s reach and accessibility around the world, to further grow our positive impact and contribution to communities – and society – around the world.

Read The Ardonagh's Group 2023 Sustainability Report in full.

Read the 2023 report in full and learn more about Ardonagh's sustainability agenda on The Ardonagh Group website.