Over 70 people were attracted to Colburn Business Park to hear the story of ‘ethical businessman’ Richard Adams OBE, the founder of UK fair trade organisations Tearcraft and Traidcraft.

Also founder of a number of social enterprises which promote ethical business, Richard is recognised as one of the top people in the country who has had most impact in ‘making the world a better place’ for his development of the concept of ethical shopping.

The Business Link Yorkshire ‘Be Inspired’ event was a chance for entrepreneurs to pick up on Richard’s insights – and also an opportunity for local businesses to see all that Colburn Business Park has to offer.

Councillor Helen Grant, chair of Richmond Council, welcomed the audience to the park: “Yorkshire Forward, Richmondshire District Council, and developers Gladman Development and CFK Developments are all working together to ensure that this park is a first class location for business. Yorkshire Forward’s aim was to develop a business park that would attract high quality businesses providing well-paid skilled jobs and improving the local economy.”

Richard Adams then went on to share his story from his first jobs in regional industrial development in the north east of England and then in Scotland, learning about what mattered to firms that wished to grow their business. He progressed to founding Tearcraft and then in 1979 founded and spent ten years as managing director of Traidcraft.

He drafted initial proposals for the UK’s Fairtrade Foundation in 1989, ensuring it would act as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

Richard shared the success story around the Fairtrade mark which has grown to have certified sales of £700 million in 2009. Today, Fairtrade commodities cover a wide range of food products but also some non-food products like cotton, cut flowers and sports balls.

Yorkshire Forward bought the land to develop Colburn Business Park in 2000 and now the park hosts three developments: Innovate business centre, offices created by Gladman Developments and industrial space from CFK Developments.

Further information about the park can be found at www.colburnbusinesspark.co.uk

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