- By Buckinghamshire Business First
- 1 May, 2026
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Community engagement is often spoken about as a corporate responsibility, but the Community Pillar Roundtable held recently at Dux Advisory made clear that, at its best, it is much more human than that. It is about businesses recognising the places they belong to and using their skills, people, resources and influence to make a real difference.
The Community Pillar Roundtable was hosted by Dux Advisory and delivered by CSR-A in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First - the first in a series of CSR Roundtable events in the coming weeks and months.
The event was attended by local organisations eager to explore how businesses can help build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.
The discussion highlighted the many ways companies are already creating positive impact: supporting schools, charities, apprenticeships, sports clubs, local events, volunteering, mentoring, work experience, and wellbeing initiatives. A key message was that many businesses are doing more than they realise. The opportunity is to recognise it, structure it, measure it and share the stories that inspire others.
Guest speakers Shaun Brownsmith of Dux Advisory and Juliet Shayler of Wycombe Wanderers Foundation showed how authentic community engagement benefits everyone. Communities gain support, opportunity and connection. Employees gain pride, purpose and belonging. Businesses strengthen culture, reputation and local relationships.
By engaging with their communities, businesses start to understand local needs and how to take practical action to build stronger and healthier places to live, work and thrive.
The session closed with a clear sense that every organisation, whatever its size, has something valuable to offer - whether that's volunteering, sponsorship, skills-sharing, job creation, or more.
In addition to Shaun and Juliet, a big thank you goes to the other contributors on the day:
- Dave Kirby - Old Bill's Pest Control
- Laura Monk - B P Collins LLP
- Sam Kandiyali – Kopru
- Suzanne Curry – Seymour Taylor
- Phillipa Hatch – Blue Sheep
- Nicola Cotton – Buckinghamshire Business First
Read the full article that covers all of the invaluable insights from businesses at the event about the clear benefits of engaging with the local community.
The next CSR Roundtable Events
- Workplace: 11th June at Seymour Taylor Accountants and Tax Advisers, High Wycombe
- Environment: 9th July at Ercol Furniture Ltd, Princes Risborough
- Philanthropy: 17th September at Chandler Garvey Ltd, High Wycombe
You can book via the links above or find all three events here >
