‘Game Changer’ Louise receives royal recognition

First Ark’s Louise Harris has been royally congratulated for her inspirational work in making business good for communities. 

Louise, Director of Social Responsibility at Knowsley Housing Trust, part of the First Ark Group, met HRH The Prince of Wales at a special reception at Westminster where he thanked her for her work in in promoting socially responsible business.

She is one of 100 individuals invited to the royal reception who have been named Game Changers by Business in the Community, an organisation for which HRH The Prince of Wales is president.

Louise said: “It was a real honour to meet HRH The Prince of Wales. We spoke about housing and what First Ark delivers in Knowsley and I invited him to visit the First Ark Group next time he is in the region.

“This is fantastic recognition for First Ark’s work in this area, showing that we are leading the way and doing the right thing for our teams, our tenants and our communities.” 

The Game Changers Award is a one-off recognition for people like Louise who work behind the scenes to change business behaviour and promote social responsibility within their companies.

She has been a driving force behind the Group’s approach to social responsibility since it launched its strategy in 2011, which sets out a commitment to ‘give something back’ to communities.

This includes volunteering, creating jobs, training and volunteer opportunities, and supporting new businesses and social enterprise.

Bob Taylor, Chief Executive, First Ark Group said: “All businesses should see social responsibility and social innovation as a core part of what they do – It’s good for business, good for people and good for the local economy and the right investment to make.

“Louise’s achievement reflects the fantastic commitment she gives every day in her role which has helped to really create life-changing opportunities for people in Knowsley.”