Press release - regional

December 2014

The First Ark Group makes social investment of £4.5m in North West businesses and communities

North West social impact business, the First Ark Group, has published its annual social accounts which reveal that it has invested £4.5m* in impact projects, helping to transform businesses and develop thriving communities throughout the region.

The First Ark Group’s social accounts measure theeffect, in terms of finance, welfare and personal development, that each activity or project undertaken during 2014 has provided. Highlights include

forgingstrong partnerships with 43 female business start-ups and completing 840 home improvement projects for Liverpool City Region residents. This includes the installation of energy efficient features and the provision of affordable home insurance.

The organisation has also announcedfuture plans to grow and diversify its range of products and services and achieve even more value through its innovative procurement approach, setting a target to deliver an additional £2m in profits for use in social investment activity within the next five years. This extra investment will be delivered through collaborative partnerships and creative alliances.

Bob Taylor, CEO of the First Ark Group, said: “Developing pioneering solutions to help people succeed is what matters to us most at the First Ark Group. Generating social value is placed firmly at the heart of everything we do, shaping the work we undertake at both a regional and national level. Every project, be it the delivery of first class housing, the investment in innovative start-ups or the launch of a community care and repair service, has to inspire greater economic and social prosperity and every penny we invest has to make a genuine difference.

“It’s great to use our social accounts to put the work we undertake through its paces, critically evaluating each output to ensure the results mirror what we set out to achieve. I’m thrilled that the final social accounts show that the Group and all of its exceptional employees and partners have achieved this and more. We’re looking forward to building on this success in 2015.”

The accounts also measure the additional economic impact created by the Group. Standout results drawn from the data include the conclusion that 95 per cent of its employees live in the Liverpool City Region, meaning a high proportion of its £16.3m wage bill is retained locally.

During the reported period, the First Ark Group’s employees benefitted from the equivalent of 812 weeks of training, all of which can lead to career progression and personal development.

The First Ark Group’s social accounts have been submitted to Lord Young to be considered for inclusion in thegovernment review of the Social Value Act, due to be published in early 2015.

Ends

For more information about this press release, please contact:

Refresh PR – 0161 871 1188 /

Gemma Cannon –

Corey Kitchener –

Notes to editor:

*This figure includes £2.9m of investment secured externally.

The First Ark Group is a unique social impact business, aiming to provide world class housing, regeneration and facilities management services to its customers and create life changing opportunities which will inspire people and generate growth in the communities in which it works.

It comprises five companies that work together to create success, with the over-riding purpose of making a positive difference to communities and people’s lives:

  • First Ark Ltd is the parent organisation that sets and oversees Group strategy and provides corporate services
  • KHT is its successful housing association that provides homes to over 27,000 people through its 14,000 homes in Knowsley on Merseyside
  • Vivark is a social enterprise providing facilities management services to a range of clients in the North West

Oriel is its development brand, building homes for rent and for sale with a range of innovative ways to buy

  • One Ark is its investment charity which will create life changing opportunities and generate growth in the communities in which it works

Follow First Ark on Twitter: @firstark