BBA 2024 Winner Profile: Responsible Business – Barclays Japan

Barclays Japan has been awarded the 2024 British Business Award for Responsible Business, the most competitive category this year with 11 nominees, for its LifeSkills programme.

Part of the bank’s commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive economy, Barclays LifeSkills helps people develop the skills they need to succeed and better manage their money. By unlocking skills and employment opportunities, the programme supports underserved communities to progress.

“We are very proud of the work we’re doing in Japan through the LifeSkills programme,” said Kentaro Kiso, president and representative director of Barclays Securities Japan Limited. “We believe everyone deserves the financial independence and opportunity that comes with a job—and as a bank, we’re well-positioned with the skills and resources to help.”

Unlocking skills and employment opportunities

As social inequalities continue to rise, there’s a growing need to support underserved communities. That’s why socio-economic inclusion is at the heart of the Barclays LifeSkills programme, providing help to people who might otherwise get left behind.

Barclays works with charity partners to deliver LifeSkills and encourages its colleagues to give their time and skills. With nonprofit housing association Habitat for Humanity, for example, Barclays Japan is supporting survivors of domestic abuse to re-enter the workforce or pursue their desired careers.

In rural areas of Japan, Barclays partners with charities to engage young people who lack technical and life skills, helping to boost their employability and career prospects. Once a month, programme participants visit Tokyo to meet Barclays employees and receive guidance on employability, take part in career sharing sessions, and get practical advice on transitioning into the workplace.

“Our colleagues mentor programme participants”, said Kiso. “By the end of the programme, these young people are empowered with the skills and confidence they need and are placed in work.”

Barclays Japan has expanded its support for Houkago NPO Afterschool, which initially provided hot meals and online teaching during the pandemic lockdowns.

This year, the partnership delivered more than 2,000 hours of online learning and training for caregivers of children in the afterschool programmes, which typically run from 3pm to 6pm to enable parents to work while raising their children.

“Feedback has been very positive,” said Renu Vasanth Kumar, head of citizenship, Asia Pacific. “At Barclays, by working with a select group of strategic partners, we’re able to deliver and scale best-in-class programming that creates pathways to sustained employment.”

Championing innovation and sustainable growth

Barclays Japan proudly partners with Unreasonable Group, a US-based B-Corp, to deliver its Unreasonable Impact programme that helps businesses to grow and create jobs. It supports high-growth entrepreneurs with the network and resources they need to address pressing social and environmental challenges.

Unreasonable Impact builds community among entrepreneurs, institutions and investors. Through the programme, Barclays Japan supports ventures that are driving innovations in various industries, from food and agriculture to energy and manufacturing.

Kiso is one of more than 1,000 mentors in the global Unreasonable Impact community of industry experts, supporting entrepreneurs to quickly solve challenges facing their business.

For Kiso, participation is beneficial not only to support society but also in better serving the bank’s clients. “Unreasonable Impact offers me a lot of insight into how to technically support growth-stage companies. This is a key focus for many of my clients—like banks, insurance companies, pension funds and asset managers—which all have a certain stake in ventures. Getting involved in Unreasonable Impact helps me to understand the dynamics and improves my conversations with clients.”

Kiso also noted that the Unreasonable Impact programme advances “business connectivity,” as ventures often seek networks and connections. “Citizenship is not something we do from a corner office, but something we integrate into the business, and the way we deliver as an organisation,” he added.

“We often say our citizenship function focuses on the ‘S’ in ESG [environmental, social and governance],” he said. “We want to be good corporate citizens, doing the right thing not just for business stakeholders but for all stakeholders in the organisation.”

Barclays Japan proudly sponsors various cultural and sports organisations every year, too, explained Kiso. This includes supporting the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra’s classical concert series for children at Suntory Hall, held four times a year.

Making community support part of the DNA

Barclays is committed to making a positive difference in communities and encourages its employees to actively participate in citizenship programmes and charitable activities. While COVID-19 limited opportunities for engagement, the bank recognises that post-pandemic, traditional methods of volunteering may not suit everyone’s busy schedules and commitments.

“The best way is to show and lead by example,” said Kiso, referring to a recent visit to a children’s home for kids and young people aged 2–22. “People are eager to get involved, they just don’t always know how to start. We need to think more creatively about how to invite people to participate and dip their toes into activities outside of work.”

Despite the challenges, with around one in three colleagues volunteering regularly, Barclays Japan is “in a good place” regarding colleague engagement in responsible business activities. Kiso added that the bank remains ambitious in continuing to get volunteers involved.