Northern Trust Gives Hand-Up to Big Issue Foundation

Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) today congratulated Ron Heap on selling more than 1000 editions of The Big Issue magazine to its London-based employees.

Wilson Leech, head of Northern Trust in Europe, Middle East and Africa, congratulates Ron Heap, Big Issue vendor, on the sale of his 1000th magazine at Northern Trust (Photo: Business Wire)

During the last six months, the company has offered Heap the opportunity to sell his magazines inside its Canary Wharf offices on one day each week as part of its commitment to support the local community. Northern Trust is the only bank in the UK to have an on-site Big Issue vendor as part of The Big Issue Foundation’s corporate placement programme.

Launched in 1991, the Big Issue is a magazine sold by people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Vendors buy their magazines for £1.25 and sell them at £2.50, thereby taking charge of their finances and developing the skills required to run a micro-business. Its aim is to give its vendors a ‘hand-up not a hand-out’. The Big Issue Foundation works exclusively with Big Issue vendors to help them rebuild their lives.

"We are very proud to be helping vendors like Ron,” said Wilson Leech, head of Northern Trust in Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Not only does his weekly spot at Northern Trust support Ron in his sales, we’re also supporting him to develop his employability skills and raise the profile of Big Issue vendors and the important choices they make to elevate themselves out of poverty or unemployment.”

Northern Trust has a 125 year history of creating meaningful and effective community partnerships. Its signature volunteering programme, Northern Trust Community Partners, offers all permanent employees the opportunity to spend two paid days out of the office each year to support charity and community initiatives. Some employees have spent time with Big Issue vendors on the streets of London, helping them sell magazine to the public.

"We’re delighted to be working with Northern Trust,” said Stephen Robertson, chief executive at The Big Issue Foundation. "Employees’ generous contributions help vendors to improve their housing, health care, financial management and growing aspirations. Ron’s placement inside Northern Trust’s London office is an example of the opportunities that we can provide to vendors to support their development, and seeing his success at Northern Trust gives us tremendous pride.”

"Congratulations to Ron on achieving this fantastic milestone,” said Naomi Venn, head of community affairs and internal communications for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Northern Trust. "The Big Issue Foundation provides valuable support to hard working Big Issue vendors, and we are delighted to be able to open up our office and some extra opportunities to Ron. Seeing our employees queuing for their weekly magazine and spending time talking to Ron is incredibly rewarding.”

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and 18 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of March 31, 2014, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$5.8 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$915.4 billion. For more than 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at http://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures

About The Big Issue Foundation

The Big Issue was founded in 1991 as a social enterprise, producing a weekly magazine which can be bought for £1.25 and sold for £2.50 by people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Big Issue Foundation was founded in 1996 and is a small but national charity. Our network of Service Brokers work tirelessly to understand the needs and aspirations of our vendors, and connect them with the vital support and opportunities to enable them to rebuild their lives. In 2013/14 we worked with 2500 individuals who achieved 4500 positive outcomes with our support.

The charity relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising partnerships, such as the relationship with Northern Trust, to fund its vital services. The Big Issue Foundation has a range of corporate engagement opportunities, including corporate vendor placements, through which organisations, and employees, can develop their understanding, offer valuable opportunities and show their support to our vendors.

The Big Issue Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1049077.

If you are interested in finding out more about corporate partnership opportunities, and the work of The Big Issue Foundation please contact Kathryn Drake, Head of Corporate and Community Fundraising. kathryn.drake@bigissue.com / 020 7526 3452

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140616005640/en/