Leader of Norfolk County Council Kay Mason Billig, Rob Carter of RG Carter, Business Director at Norwich University of Arts Sarah Steed, Head of IT Finance Operations at Aviva Andrew Dernie, and Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre Stephen Crocker make up the first panel, exploring corporate social responsibility and what kindness means in and to a business.
Ahead of the event, Stephen Crocker said: “Kindness is one of Norwich Theatre’s core values. Applying a principle of kindness to our work is not a ‘soft’ or naïve action but rather a radical organisational shift. We began with a question: What if we view kindness as a valuable foundation for robust, thoughtful and responsible leadership?”
Tickets are on sale now for the event, which takes place 9am to 2pm on 15 October.
The second panel will delve into how to embed kindness into company culture to attract and retain talent and to foster employee well-being and growth. Speaking on this are Gemma Crane Mindset HR, Harry Harris Swarm Group, Nigel Cushion Nelsonspirit, Aimee Konieczny Indigo Swan, and Paige Gouldthorpe Fosters Solicitors.
The final panel will look at creating thriving business environments through professional networks, community collaboration and partnerships. The panel will be chaired by Laura McGillivray,Norwich Theatre and Sainsbury Centre Trustee and feature Tracey Drake Business in the Community, Sham Golamy South Norfolk & Broadland Council, Michael Yates Norwich BID, Pippa Lain-Smith Plain Speaking PR and Gordon Simpson Howes Percival.
Lauren Farley, Business Development Manager at Norwich Theatre, said: “We are delighted to welcome the best business minds in Norfolk who are donating their time to this exploration of what ‘paying it forward’ truly means in practice in Norfolk. It is going to be a fascinating event that will have appeal whether you are entering the workforce, going through an organisational transformation, or looking to grow your own network. Come and listen to these experts and stay to network and debate further after the panel discussions.”
At the event will be a Kindness Wall of activities, provided by Norwich Theatre and its partners, to make Creative Experiences accessible to all. Attendees can donate towards the items – which include school travel and theatre tickets for a class of 30 children; providing a place for a child on the Boys Movement Company for a term; or giving a teacher CPD sessions with Norwich Theatre – to truly pay it forward.
Paying it Forward in Business is part of Norwich Theatre’s Creative Matters Season Kindness through Creativity. The season explores how creativity and the arts can inspire change, tell unheard stories, build compassion, and create a fairer and kinder society.
“We hope that this event will also bridge the gap between themes that transcend both art and business, bringing this theme to the forefront” added Stephen.
The event costs £8 per person, which includes tea and coffee throughout. The proceeds will directly contribute to Norwich Theatre’s charitable mission of providing creative experiences with long-lasting positive impact.
To book your place visit our website norwichtheatre.org or call 01603 630 000.
