Gate One strikes partnership with London-based charity SE1 United
Consulting firm Gate One has struck a partnership with SE1 United, a charity which delivers youth-led programmes for local young people. As part of the alliance, Gate One consultants will participate in fundraising activities for the London-based charity, as well as leverage their consulting skills to pro-bono advise on some of SE1 United’s endeavours.
Founded in 2013, and today with a team of over 50 consultants and associates, Gate One is one of London’s fastest growing management consultancies. In line with the firm’s stated CSR ambition, “to make a real difference”, not just in terms of its consulting and project management work but also into the broader community, the firm’s leadership earlier this year embarked on a search for a charity partner. “A core part of the Gate One ethos is to ‘make the difference on the things that makes the difference’. This extends beyond our work as consultants, and into the community around us, because we believe that our talented and enthusiastic team can make a difference,” explains Alex McEvoy, partner and one of the firm’s four co-founders.
Several local charities were considered, with SE1 United coming out on top as the firm’s preferred partner. Established in 2003, by a group of young people, SE1 United is a charity that empowers members to create programmes and events that raise their aspirations, promote a positive image of young people and give them a voice which transforms community. Activities initiated by the charity range from volunteering at events such as fashion shows, sports days, homework clubs and community research projects – all designed with the aim of educating and broadening the minds of young people. The charity hosts events across Greater London, with the majority of those held in the Southwark and Lambeth area. SE1 United also shares its skills and knowledge with peers and other institutions through consultancy and training.
“As well as sharing the same postcode (the two organisations are based in London’s South Bank district), we were keen to partner with a local charity who shares our values and an entrepreneurial spirit,” comments McEvoy. “We are really pleased with the partnership and we’re excited to bring our eclectic bag of consulting and non-consulting skills to SE1 United.”
The partners kicked off their alliance last month, when a group of 12 intrepid Gate One directors and consultants took to the ‘Dirty Weekender Rat Race’ in Lincolnshire to complete the 13-mile obstacle course consisting of around 150 obstacles. “As expected, the race was brutal as we faced all manner of obstacles over a gruelling 6-hour effort. Jumping three meters into frigid water; climbing two-storey high stacks of hay bales; crawling through pitch black tunnels and trudging, wading and sliding through the ubiquitous mud,” reflects one of Gate One’s contestants. The consulting firm’s team however successfully completed the course and raised nearly £4,000 in funding for SE1 United.
Looking ahead, McEvoy says that he looks forward to the next activities and pro-bono work Gate One will provide to SE1 United, stating “We look forward to seeing the potential positive impact on the communities through our combined efforts.”
