NEWS FROM THE TREES GROUP
3 APRIL 2009
TOP US SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR VISITS LEICESTER'S THE TREES
GROUP
One of America's most prominent social entrepreneurs has visited the TREES Group in Leicester. Tim Cross, President of YouthBuild International, paid a visit to the social enterprise group to discuss how the sector's business model can play a part in physical and economic regeneration.
In common with YouthBuild International, TREES' member Newlife Regeneration Construction offers training and employment opportunities to people who want to work in the construction industry.
Tim organised the efforts that led to the founding of YouthBuild Boston, the first YouthBuild programme outside of New York and dedicated his career to social enterprises.
At the event, held at Highpoint Conference Centre in Glenfield Road, he met with TREES Chief Executive, John Montague, leader of Leicester City Council, Councillor Ross Willmott, Jenny Allen of the National Housing Federation, David Brazier of Leicester recycling social enterprise STRIDE and Howard Platts of YouthBuild UK.
"There is no question that the groundbreaking social enterprise work of TREES and Youthbuild UK has much to teach the expanding global YouthBuild network," said Tim Cross. "We very much look forward to forging closer linkages with Youthbuild UK in the interest of supporting efforts to address the employment and training needs of young adults around the world."
With a turnover of £8million, the TREES Group comprises Newlife Regeneration Construction, Thorpete
- a gas servicing company and Ground
Control, which carries out landscaping and maintenance, as well as the Highpoint
Conference Centre.
John Montague added: "As a social entrepreneur and Chairman of YouthBuild UK, it was inspiring to meet Tim and discuss ways to harness the power of enterprise to make a difference to people's lives."
The TREES Group was founded in 1995 with the aim of creating jobs, training opportunities, local services and wealth in deprived communities across the midlands, supporting community regeneration.
