ELBA is 35!
ELBA is celebrating its 35th anniversary!
Since its inception in 1989, ELBA has been a trailblazer in corporate social responsibility (CSR), building innovative and impactful partnerships between businesses and communities.
Since its inception in 1989, ELBA has been a trailblazer in corporate social responsibility (CSR), building innovative and impactful partnerships between businesses and communities.
Over the next four weeks we’ll be posting about ELBA’s history, present, future and how to get involved – so stay tuned….
On this page you will find:
his year, ELBA celebrates its 35th anniversary. Established in 1989, ELBA was originally named the East London Partnership, and was set up by a group of business leaders who were concerned about the levels of poverty and inequality in east London.
Changing its name in 1993 to the East London Business Alliance (ELBA), it was established as a limited company and charity that same year. ELBA’s original focus was solely on the boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, which today we extend to Barking and Dagenham, Islington and Southwark (with some work in Waltham Forest, Haringey, Greenwich, and Camden).
In ELBA’s first annual review, entitled the Inaugural Review (December 2000-May 2002), the organisation celebrated facilitating almost 2000 volunteers in its first 12 months. 500 of which participated in education mentoring and 686 in team challenge types of activities. ELBA was making its priorities known to Government ministers, GLA and local authorities.
One of ELBA’s legacies is Mile End Park. ELBA collaborated with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the Environment Trust to transform 90 acres of open land into a “radical park for the 21st century”. ELBA was instrumental in securing finance to fund the park, and providing strategic support and legal advice through employee volunteers.
35 years later, ELBA continues to play an integral role in east London, working strategically across the public, private and voluntary sectors to build partnerships, articulate need and facilitate employee volunteering.
As CSR has evolved, ELBA has continued to lead by example, driving businesses toward deeper, measurable impact, while adapting to new societal pressures such as the cost of living crisis and the digital divide. Looking to the future, ELBA remains dedicated to addressing entrenched inequalities in health, education, and employment opportunities. Its place-based partnership model brings together local stakeholders to create tailored solutions for the unique challenges each community faces. ELBA continues to play a vital role, ensuring that businesses stay at the heart of local progress for decades to come.
ELBA in reflection: Reflecting on 35 Years of ELBA, by Julie Hutchinson, CEO
s ELBA marks 35 years of service, I am honoured to reflect on the legacy of an organisation that has steadfastly championed social change in East London and beyond, thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners over the decades.
Since our inception, ELBA has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for businesses to engage meaningfully with the communities they operate in, building a place based model that has not only shaped and improved the life prospects of the communities we serve but has also contributed to redefining corporate social responsibility (CSR) across the capital.
In the late 1980s, when ELBA was founded, CSR was in its infancy. Businesses were primarily concerned with philanthropy and donations – with limited thought given to the long-term social and economic outcomes for local communities. ELBA recognised early on that businesses could be more than just funders; they could be active partners in tackling the challenges facing those from poorer socio economic backgrounds. Our approach was to build bridges between corporate entities and local stakeholders, creating mechanisms that allowed businesses to leverage not just their financial resources, but also their expertise, networks, and influence.
Over the past 35 years, CSR has evolved from a fringe concern to a strategic priority for our corporate partners. The language has shifted too—CSR has expanded into corporate citizenship and social purpose, with businesses increasingly recognising their responsibility to contribute to sustainability, social mobility, diversity, and inclusive growth. ELBA has been instrumental in this shift, helping to shape the case for businesses to invest in deep, local impact. From volunteering, mentoring and careers to governance and leadership, ELBA has provided the models, tools, networks, and strategies that have allowed businesses to not only give back but to invest in the future of their communities. To our incredible corporate partners and donors of the past and present –Thank you for standing with ELBA! Your intentionality, trust, and support drive our collective impact.
Over my 20 year tenure at ELBA, I have been continually inspired by the brilliance, resilience, and dedication of our community partners – our local charities, nonprofits, and of course, their beneficiaries. They are at the heart of our shared mission for fairness in our region, driving positive change with unwavering commitment and creativity. These organisations embody the power of community, showing us every day that together we can create a more just and vibrant future. ELBA is privileged to work alongside them, building a legacy of opportunity and resilience for generations to come.
Our many achievements would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of my predecessors. I have had the privilege of working for two, Liam Kane and Ian Parkes, each of whom played a critical role in shaping ELBA’s journey.
Liam Kane, as ELBA’s CEO for over 15 years, laid a firm foundation for our work today, fostering vital relationships with east London communities and corporate partners. Under his guidance, ELBA flourished as a trusted bridge between business and the community, creating impactful collaborations that addressed local needs. Liam’s leadership philosophy – that social change is sustainable only when it has the commitment of both community members and corporate allies – remains a guiding principle for us today.
Ian Parkes built upon this vision, leading ELBA with insight and compassion. Ian had a deep understanding of the structural inequalities affecting east London and worked tirelessly to ensure ELBA’s programmes addressed those issues directly. Ian’s dedication to social justice and his inclusive leadership style inspired us all, creating a legacy of empathy and resilience.
This November, as we celebrate ELBA’s 35th anniversary, I extend my gratitude to Liam, Ian, and the countless staff, partners and supporters who have contributed to our mission of reducing poverty and inequality. Beyond operational impact, charities need strong governance to weather challenges, survive, and thrive. At ELBA, we are fortunate to have been guided by exceptional stewards on our Board. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of our Chair, Chris Watson of CMS, the Board has provided invaluable support and guidance over the years. This steadfast governance has allowed our staff and leadership to focus fully on our mission, with complete confidence in our governance and financial probity. We extend our heartfelt gratitude.
Thanks to their efforts, ELBA stands as a beacon of hope and progress, with an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and positive change in our region. Together, we look forward to the future with renewed dedication to our mission and community. Read more here.
ELBA Staff Spotlight – Merline Douglas
erline Douglas has been with ELBA since the start, 35 years ago! Here Merline shares with us her favourite memories of ELBA, her favourite parts of east London and more. Read Merline’s profile here.
ELBA founding partner, UBS, as told by Patsy Francis
s we celebrate 35 years of ELBA, we are shining a spotlight on one of ELBA’s founding partners, UBS. Patsy Francis, Executive Director, UK Social Impact and Philanthropy at UBS, has been with the company since 1997 and has worked with ELBA for 27 years. Patsy tells us a bit about her role, UBS’s work with ELBA and some of the significant projects UBS has worked on with ELBA over the years. Read Patsy’s profile here.
Historical documents
Above image: Abbey Mills Pumping Station, 2022, where ELBA used to have its offices
We’ve been looking through our historical archives, and wanted to share some key documents from ELBA’s 35 year history:
