Merlin Entertainments is collaborating with the Purpose Coalition to publish a report on its social impact in the UK.
The Purpose Coalition brings together UK leaders and businesses to develop solutions to improve the role that organisations can play for their customers, colleagues and communities by increasing opportunity and social mobility.
Merlin’s report will be published in the first quarter of next year. It will be created with political and social advocacy leaders, including former education secretary Justine Greening, who also serves as the Purpose Coalition’s chair.
“The role of the leisure and hospitality sector is hugely important in the UK, delivering jobs and opportunities across the country, and contributing significantly to local and national economies,” said Greening.
“By sharing its purpose-led best practice on attracting, developing, and retaining its staff and on its community engagement, Merlin can play a leading part in shaping the sector and levelling up the communities where it operates.”
The report will explore Merlin’s people and community-focused initiatives via 14 ‘purpose goals’. It will help to identify the gaps where access to opportunity is limited, allowing Merlin to aid social mobility further as a major UK employer.
Founded in 1999, Merlin boasts a portfolio of 140 attractions in 24 countries, including the Sea Life and Madame Tussauds brands, and the iconic Legoland resorts.
“As a business made up of over 30,000 teammates globally, we recognise that we have the collective ability to create lasting change that benefits society and our planet, well beyond the doors of our attractions and resorts,” said Matt Jowett, chief corporate officer for Merlin.
New ways to support social mobility
Jowett continued: “As a business we have consistently looked to positively contribute to the local communities in which we are based – whether through our employees or our two dedicated charities, Merlin’s Magic Wand Children’s Charity, and Sea Life Trust.
“At Merlin, we believe our superpower is being a force for good, and people are at the heart of everything we do. As part of the Purpose Coalition, we are looking forward to finding new ways to support social mobility and the wider levelling up agenda in the UK.”
Kate Shane, Merlin’s regional director for Blackpool, added: “Our purpose at Merlin is to spread joy and happiness to our guests but we also recognise that we have the power to bring that joy and happiness further to the communities we work in.
“Many young people who have attended these attractions as kids may end up working with us in the future, and I am proud of the legacy that we have created in Blackpool by touching the lives of so many people.”
Images courtesy of Merlin
