Bristol-based Neighbourly – the social platform that connects local community projects with companies that want to make a difference – has appointed Steve Haines as head of community engagement.
Steve, pictured, will play a key role in managing Neighbourly’s relationships with public bodies and third sector groups, and advising on its strategy to inspire social action at grassroots in local communities around the UK. 
He joins from Save the Children International, the world’s leading children’s charity, where he was global campaign mobilisation director.
Steve established the charity’s first global campaigning team and led the delivery of its priority global campaign, ‘EVERY ONE’, in 120 countries worldwide.
He has also spent time as an advisor to the United Nations, mobilising commitments for the UN Secretary General’s updated Global Strategy on Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, ‘Every Woman Every Child’.
He said: “I believe Neighbourly has the potential to revolutionise the way businesses and individuals connect to charities and community projects.
“I’m excited to be joining Neighbourly at a critical point in its development, and to help deliver its vision by engaging the public sector and other partners in this burgeoning movement.”
In just over 18 months, Neighbourly has facilitated funding of more than £2m, 9,000 volunteering days and 56,000 meals for community causes around the UK and Ireland.
Organisations using Neighbourly, which is based in Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub, include corporates such as Marks & Spencer and Starbucks, as well as many small and medium-sized businesses active in their local communities.
The business has also expanded to the Netherlands, brought a number of major brands onto the platform and been named one of the UK’s most innovative companies by Bloomberg.
CEO Luke McKeever said: “Attracting a campaigner with Steve’s experience is testament to Neighbourly’s continued momentum and huge potential. As the business continues to gather pace, strong relationships with public bodies and third sector organisations will play a key role in our mission to inspire positive social action within local communities on a larger scale.”
