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Common Purpose UK

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"Common Purpose" redirects here. For other uses, see Common purpose.

Common Purpose UK is an influential educational charity delivering a range of leadership training programmes to decision-makers drawn from all sectors of society.

The company states that what differentiates it from other leadership programme providers is its emphasis on the benefits for all those who participate in its programmes, and their employing organisations, of engaging constructively with the communities in which they live and work. It was founded in 1989 by current CEO, Julia Middleton.[1] Its registered office is in London.

The legal status of Common Purpose is that of a charity. In 2006 it has employed 142 people and received an income of £6,394,656. The objects of Common Purpose are the advancement of education for the public benefit with special emphasis on civil and social awareness and responsibility. The company states it aims to improve the way society works by expanding the vision, decision-making ability and influence of all kinds of leaders. [2]

Common Purpose claims that more than 120,000 people have been involved in Common Purpose and 25,000 leaders from every area of the UK have completed one or more of their programmes.[3] Further Common Purpose claims that 70 per cent of the FTSE 100 companies have used their programmes to develop their leaders.[4][5]

Common Purpose also regularly commissions research on contemporary management issues. [6][7][8]

Trustees

  • Chris Mathias, Chair, CMG partners (Chair)
  • Andrew Cubie, Senior Partner, Fyfe Ireland
  • Anu Omideyi, Barrister, Furnival Chambers
  • David Bell, Director for People, Pearson Plc
  • Simon Darling, Founder, Quiet Riots
  • Mark Adams, Netcare Healthcare
  • James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive, NE Chamber of Commerce
  • Kieran McPolin, Financial Controller, Openreach
  • Lucy de Groot, Executive Director, Improvement & Development Agency
  • Vincent McGinlay, Retired Director of Supply Chain and Technology, Marks & Spencer plc
  • Pam Chesters, Chair, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust
  • Olu Olanrewaju, Managing Director, Urban/Focus Heart Ltd
  • Miriam Mulcahy, Independent Media Consultant

Notable past participants

Notable comments

  • "Young people have so much to offer to society. Common Purpose has recognised this through their leadership development programmes and award schemes that develop and celebrate the potential of young people. The more active, informed young people there are making a positive contribution to their local schools and communities." - Zenna Atkins, Chair of OFSTED
  • "Common Purpose programmes deliver a fascinating insight into global and national trends and issues, through a unique combination of world-class speakers, actual field visits, and a richly diverse group of participants from all walks of the public and private sector world. Hugely thought-provoking." - Steve Peacock, Director, BP North Sea
  • "The most enlightening, informative and challenging programme. The standard both of presenters and participants was first rate. The opportunity to explore a whole range of strategic influences in such an imaginative way was invaluable." - Stuart Middleton, head of Group Management, HBOS plc
  • "Of all the leadership programmes that I know of, those run by Common Purpose are by far the best, you only have to see the lasting effect on those who have participated in them to know that they work and work well. Civil society in a wide range of countries has benefited hugely from Common Purpose." - Professor Charles Handy, Management writer and broadcaster

Conspiracy Theories

Common Purpose has been the subject of a series of conspiracy theories circulated by writer Christopher Story,[9] a former adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,[10] and Eurosceptic [11] Brian Gerrish who claim that its aim is to control the United Kingdom. Gerrish has stated that Common Purpose wants "to kill you"..[12] Similar criticism of the organisation has come from the Campaign for an Independent Britain, the United Kingdom Independence Party, and the British National Party.[citation needed], largely on Euro-sceptic ground: however, much of the criticism levied at Common Purpose UK is identical to that made in left-wing commentator George Monbiot's book Captive_State, which condemned governmental and public organisations deliberately ignoring people's wishes and either side stepping or subverting the democratic process out of a sense of 'we know better'.

Common Purpose trustees recently issued a brief response to these criticisms on their website.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Citation by the Public Orator-designate for Common Purpose" (PDF). University of Newcastle. May 4th, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Common Purpose UK – Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 July 2006 (pdf)
  3. ^ Common Purpose United Kingdom About Us page
  4. ^ Common Purpose United Kingdom Overview of programmes
  5. ^ Common Purpose United Kingdom List of sponsors
  6. ^ "Are you helping your talent to blossom?" Personnel Today
  7. ^ "Beyond the tick-box culture" Management Issues
  8. ^ "A poor reflection of the work we do" The Guardian 24 October 2007
  9. ^ Christopher Story, What Next For British Brainwashing Offensive?, World Reports, 3 March 2006
  10. ^ Gordon Thomas, A Day In The Life Of Hussein, The European Magazine, September 2004
  11. ^ Brian Gerrish, http://www.eutruth.org Common Purpose speech Leicester 15/09/07 ]
  12. ^ *Brian Gerrish presentation to the Campaign for an Independent Britain (2 hour video), October 15, 2007
  13. ^ Letter from Common Purpose trustees on media coverage
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