‘Highly Commended’ at 2026 Business Charity Awards

By Kerry Taylor, Director of Partnerships – BIG Alliance

On 7 May, the BIG Alliance’s Community Resourcing Programme (CoRe) stepped into the spotlight at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. We are thrilled to share that the CoRe received a High Commendation for the Consortium Award, recognising the impact of this partnership between Macquarie Group, Slaughter and May, Expedia Group and delivered by the BIG Alliance.

While the celebratory awards event and recognition is a wonderful nod to the work, the real story isn’t about the trophy; it’s about what happens when corporate expertise meets community survival.

Islington is a borough of sharp contrasts. Global financial institutions and world‑class law firms sit just streets away from some of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods. CoRe works across this divide, embedding high‑calibre skilled volunteers directly into the strategic heart of small, grassroots charities that are vital to local communities.

This is a rare example of a corporate collaboration delivered at scale, sustained over the long term, and rooted in place. Together, CoRe has:

• Supported over 100 community partners
• Engaged more than 450 skilled volunteers
• Delivered over 19,000 hours of pro bono support

While the recognition is a welcome milestone, CoRe’s impact extends far beyond the awards stage. The programme addresses urgent challenges in a borough of sharp contrasts, where global financial institutions operate just streets away from some of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods.

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