A Conversation With Barings

What compelled you to work with EECF, and why did you feel Life Chances was the right fit for your charitable investment?

We were attracted to working with EECF due to their Connecting Communities programme. Its holistic approach and broad reach across East London aligned closely with our own community giving strategy and resonated with us as a meaningful way to address digital inequality that’s both strategic and locally impactful. We’re proud that EECF has chosen to honour us as a Life Chance campaign partner, so we can help play a role in creating lasting change in East London.

Your pledge of £375,000 over three years represents a major commitment to low-income families in East London. Why was it important for Barings to channel this support through EECF? 

Barings has been engaged in supporting the East London community for several years, and we were eager to strengthen that commitment. EECF’s deep-rooted relationships in the East End and proven ability to deliver impactful programmes made them a natural partner for us.

Connecting Communities is all about tackling digital inequality. From your perspective, how does working with EECF help Barings ensure your funding delivers real, tangible change?

EECF has long served as a vital connector for us with schools in the East End, enabling us to make a lasting impact together. Many of our employees are deeply passionate about supporting digital inclusion, and we wanted to get involved in a meaningful way. EECF’s existing network across schools and digital providers in London made it easier for us to amplify our impact and help drive greater outcomes for the community.

EECF works closely with grassroots organisations and schools across East London. How valuable is it for Barings to know your support is reaching local groups who understand their communities best?

It’s incredibly valuable. EECF’s longstanding relationships across East London allow us to deliver strategic impact that’s guided by those who understand the local context best.

Through EECF’s Connecting Communities programme, we’ve reached hundreds of families and multiple schools in boroughs like Newham, where digital exclusion is a real challenge. These partners understand device distribution timings, how to deliver training effectively and engage families in ways that are culturally and contextually relevant. That local expertise ensures our investment is not only strategic but also deeply personal and sustainable. It’s the difference between our giving being seen as transactional versus transformative.

Beyond funding, Barings colleagues have supported EECF with digital package distribution days and joined activities such as our Winter Appeal and elders Tea Dance. Why is volunteering important to Barings and your staff?

Volunteering is an important part of our identity. It reflects our values as commitment to being responsible corporate citizens building stronger, more inclusive communities where our employees live and work. Our team are passionate about giving back, and volunteering enables them to connect directly with the communities we support.

Your staff have also had the chance to see EECF’s work first-hand in schools and community hubs. How do these experiences shape Barings’ view of the partnership with EECF?

Seeing EECF’s work firsthand has been transformative. Many of our London employees have personal ties to East London, so these experiences have deepened our appreciation for the scale, strategy, and value behind EECF’s community engagement.

Visiting the schools and community hubs and experiencing the real-world impact of EECF’s work emphasises the power of digital inclusion and the importance of culturally competent, locally embedded solutions. Being involved in efforts to help children receive their first devices, parents gain access to broadband, and schools become centres of opportunity has reinforced that our investment is tangible, personal, and deeply rooted in the needs of the community.

With additional funding pledged for 2025 and 2026, what excites you most about continuing to tackle digital inequality?

We’re excited by the stories we continue to hear from the students and families impacted and our own employees who have witnessed it first-hand. We’re eager to build on this momentum and reach even more people to enable them to thrive in a digital world.

Finally, what would you say to other companies considering EECF as a partner for their corporate social responsibility or charitable giving? 

EECF has been an incredible partner! They’re well resourced, deeply knowledgeable, and well connected across East London. Their team has helped us expand our impact and has become a trusted extension of our community engagement efforts.

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