FareShare Midlands welcomes corporate partnerships manager

FareShare Midlands, the region’s largest food redistribution charity, has welcomed a new corporate partnerships manager as it sets out on an ambitious three-year plan to double the food it redistributes, feed thousands more families and create new opportunities across the Midlands.

Pauline Clarke (pictured) has joined from St Basils with extensive experience in B2B sales, account management and partnerships, and will play a pivotal role in building the long-term relationships needed to drive this growth.

Corporate partnerships are crucial to FareShare Midlands’ work, helping meet soaring demand for food support while tackling food waste on an unprecedented scale.

For organisations looking to deliver their ESG goals and give back locally, partnering with the charity offers real impact for relatively small investments of time or money.

Recently, HSBC volunteered with the charity and funded an employability project.

James Hobbs, head of transformation at HSBC Global Services UK, said: “The best part of my role is co-chairing the Birmingham Regional Community Committee.

“Earlier this year, we funded an employability project for FareShare Midlands and also decided to get hands-on by volunteering at the Birmingham warehouse.

“On a chilly February morning, half a dozen of us turned up, were briefed, kitted out, and soon put to work.

“Warehouses packed with donations towered around us as teams of employees and volunteers picked and packed food orders for local charities.

“In just half a day, our group alone packed over two tons of food.

“Seeing the scale of both the effort and the need was humbling. It was also great fun - working together as a team, moving fast to fulfil orders, and even laughing as we tackled a mountain of carrots donated by a local farm.

The experience showed us first-hand how our financial support translates into real impact, and I would unhesitatingly recommend it to any business.

“It’s physical work, but deeply rewarding and a brilliant way to bring a team together.”

FareShare Midlands CEO, Simone Connolly, adds: "Over 1 million children in the Midlands will go to school on an empty stomach day in and day out.

“At the same time, food waste in the UK is the equivalent to over 10 million meals per annum.

“The need for FareShare Midlands will continue to be great while these two problems exist.

“Working with organisations like HSBC is essential - we simply couldn’t do this without them, and we need far more business to come forward.

“Pauline and the Fundraising Team are poised and ready to hear from you - there are so many ways your organisation can support.