An Ethical Approach: Business Fair Focusses on the Right Choice

We were delighted to welcome 90 students from Downe House, Queen Anne’s School, The Abbey, Reading Girls’ School and Reading School to join our own Sixth Formers at the Ethical Reading Conference on Thursday 19^th June. Nine local businesses were eager to share their experiences and insights as to how an ethical approach in business can impact the legislative, best practice, corporate social responsibility and profit margins of an organisation. Lively discussions around everything from the green agenda to money laundering, from discrimination in the workplace to juggling conflicting priorities were encouraged. The students enjoyed an introductory talk by Yasmina Siadatan, winner of The Apprentice Series 5 and successful Caversham restauranteur, followed by a carousel of three activities in the new Sixth Form Centre, Grove.

Accountancy firms Grant Thornton and KMPG, recruitment company Michael Page, Thames Valley Police and legal advisors from Blandy & Blandy, Field Seymour Parkes and Shoosmiths as well as business practitioner, Francis Construction, each offered a glimpse into their business decisions and the importance and impact of making the right ethical choice in difficult circumstances.

Sarah Owen, Business teacher and event co-organiser, enthused: “It’s brilliant for the students; they get to meet loads of different businesses which is fantastic and hear about real life scenarios which is fabulous and they get to do some networking which could lead anywhere. There is a nice variety of businesses and there are lots of students who are interested in law or accountancy can go to those businesses and find out more. I am a real believer in ethics and these will be the business people of the future so it’s really important that these changemakers of the future understand how they can make a difference ethically in the careers ahead of them.”

Graham Roberts from Ethical Reading “Young people benefit from being made aware of issues and concerns that they might have as they come into employment and the organisations learn what their potential employees are concerned about and so how to attract and retain them. As the world is changing so rapidly and there are more and more issues arising, Ethical Reading and events like this enable us to come together,  to understand, to discuss and network and perhaps to alleviate some of that pressure by sharing what to do to address those concerns.”

Leighton Park student, Arshida (Lower Sixth) enjoyed the sessions reflecting, “I think that this opportunity that has been given to us to talk to the ethical businesses to talk about all the different things that could affect our careers is really good. We can see how it works and what possibilities we could face in the future and in general it is a good chance for chatting to people who have been along this path and are successful.”

The event was also attended by Deputy Mayor of Reading, Councillor Paul Gittings, who commented, “It’s really important that children are able to develop their own thinking and of course ethics is a hot topic, certainly in the political sphere, so I think it’s rather interesting that children set their own ethics, their own moral boundaries. I think when you’re developing it’s a good time to do that and to do things outside the curriculum, particularly when they work in teams as they are today.”