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Lancashire Investors in Community: Harnessing Business for Social Good
At the Community Foundation for Lancashire (CFL), we know that when business and community come together, extraordinary things happen.
We recognised a growing desire among businesses, especially SMEs, to move beyond ad-hoc giving and engage in strategic support for the local charity sector. In response to that need, we created Lancashire Investors in Community (LIiC) – an initiative designed to connect businesses with the communities they care about.
The initiative was officially launched at our LIiC Annual Dinner in 2021, with the support of leading business figures and founding investors. We were delighted to have Edwin Booth CBE, DL, Executive Chairman of E.H. Booth & Co Ltd, as one of the first to back the initiative as a co-founder and help bring it to life.
“Enterprises of whatever size have the power to be a force for good in our fragmented society… LIiC provides business with the pathway to supporting the many voluntary organisations throughout our county that help to give hope to those who might, one day, be the employers of the future.”
Edwin Booth
From Vision to Impact
Since that launch night, LIiC has brought together a powerful network of businesses committed to supporting the county’s grassroots organisations. Through annual membership, businesses help fund the core work of CFL—research, innovation, and programme development—which enables us to secure larger investments for the third sector in Lancashire.
Through LIiC, members not only invest financially but also engage directly with the work we do. Our ‘Seeing is Believing’ visits give members the chance to meet grassroots community organisations making a difference across Lancashire – from Lower House Sensory Farm’s dementia-friendly spaces, to Out in the Bay’s support services for LGBTQ+ people.
These visits often inspire further involvement, with some businesses going on to create their own charitable funds through CFL, deepening their long-term impact.
The Annual Dinner: Where It All Began
Each year, our members come together at the LIiC Annual Dinner – the event brings together over 100 business leaders, features keynote speakers, inspiring stories, and key networking opportunities.
This year, we’re returning to Browsholme Hall, hosted once again by long-time supporter Amanda Parker. Amanda, in her role as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire and President of CFL, will speak on the night—reflecting on the power of community leadership.
The evening will also be hosted by our three LIiC Ambassadors, Edwin Booth, Chairman of Booths Supermarkets, Ram Gupta, CEO of Nybble IT and Mark McLoughlin, CEO of Orca Finance. It’s a true highlight of the Lancashire’s business calendar
Current Members
LIiC has grown into a collective of businesses, united by the desire to be a force for good: We thank our existing members:
- Backhouse Jones Solicitors
- Big Tank, Browsholme Hall
- Commercial Kitchen Service Ltd
- Dewlay Cheesemakers Ltd
- E H Booth & Co Lt
- Envirosystems UK Ltd
- Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing Ltd
- Financial Affairs, Fort Vale
- Fort Vale Engineering
- Guide Security
- Harrison Drury Solicitors
- IOT Horizon Ltd
- James Hall & Co Ltd
- Marsden Building Society
- MHA Moore & Smalley
- Nybble
- Orca Finance
- Panaz Holdings
- Porsche Centre Preston
- Rush Hey
- Star Tissue UK Ltd
- The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
- United Utilities
- University of Central Lancashire
- Workhouse Marketing
- Euro Energy Group
- Senseco Systems – Guide Security
- PM+M
- TP Financial Solutions
Become a Lancashire Investor in Community
Whether you’re an emerging SME or a well-established enterprise, Lancashire Investors in Community offers a meaningful way to give back, build your brand, and strengthen the place we all call home.
To learn more or become a member, get in touch with Tim Mitchell at tim.mitchell@cflm.org.uk