AAB launches own charitable initiative

Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP (AAB) has officially launched the Anderson Anderson & Brown Charitable Initiative (AABi).

Having announced the establising of the charity during the year, the Aberdeen-based accountany firm launched AABi at its ‘A Festive Welcome to Kingshill View’ event with their clients at the new AAB offices in the Prime Four Business Park.

The launch saw the first appearance of mascot ‘AABi’ herself to mark the announcement, as Drum Property Group’s managing director Graeme Bone carried out the official opening.

AABi has been set up as the platform which facilitates everyone at AAB to be able to invest in the communities in which they operate.

The initiative seeks partnership with charities, invites applications from worthy causes for donations and grants from the initiative, and also enables employees to use their time and skills to support local charities through projects and volunteering events.

AABi is managed by a Board of Trustees, all of whom are senior members of the firm’s leadership team, and is chaired by Sheena Anderson, one of the founding Partners of AAB (now retired).

Activities undertaken, all of which are supported by relevant teams and committees across the firm, come under five strategic themes, namely; Education, Health & Wellbeing, Community & Volunteering, Fundraising and Environment.

Staff have been raising funds for the initiative ahead of launching and have also been using volunteering time, which totals well over 1000 hours to date, to support a number of schools, universities and local charities.

Graeme Allan, managing partner, said: “Fundraising and supporting local charities has always been part of life at AAB with our dedicated fundraising committee organising the raising of over £110,000 for charities, since it began in 2008. The introduction of AABi will enable us to enhance the work we already do within the local community and to increase our involvement further, by giving us a platform to work with numerous charities and worthy causes.

“The idea for AABi came out of a great corporate social responsibility discussion we had with our staff and their own desire to give even more back as a firm. We are hugely excited to be launching AABi and are delighted we were able to do this with our valued clients at our first Christmas event in our new home.

“The trustees look forward to receiving applications from the fantastic causes in our local community, who meet the funding criteria, and distributing grants in the New Year and beyond.”

During the Festive Season, AABi will be supporting VSA, SSPCA and Instant Neighbour with Giving Boxes. Information on the funding criteria and application process can be found at: www.aab.uk/aabi