Strong Partnerships

UN Global Compact

As a signatory of the Compact, the Club has committed to implement the ten principles of the UN Global Compact and submit an annual Communication on Progress (COP).

MACN

West has joined the MACN and its global network of members to work towards the elimination of all forms of maritime corruption by: raising awareness of the challenges faced; implementing the MACN Anti-Corruption Principles and co-developing and sharing best practices; collaborating with governments, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to identify and mitigate the root causes of corruption; and creating a culture of integrity within the maritime community.

Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA)

By being a member of WISTA our female employees are given the opportunity to network and receive training on both soft and technical skills, while male members are educated in how they can become stronger allies in closing the gender gap within the sector.

Selected Charities

In September 2020, West launched its long-term charity program and made significant financial commitments
to three selected charities (National Oceanography Centre, Sailors’ Society and Blue Marine). We worked closely with each of them to initiate activities and projects that make a real difference and contribute to our overall ESG objectives.

National Oceanography Centre

West has partnered with NOC to develop a Seagoing Science Bursary. This enables students and early career scientists, or those from developing countries who are keen to become involved in the field of marine science or oceanography, to gain practical experience of ship-borne science. The bursary is managed by the NOC and will enable the recipients to join sea going expeditions on the NOC’s two world-class research vessels, the RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, as well as other vessels involved in its research projects.

Sailors’ Society

West has committed to long-term sponsorship of Sailors’ Society’s 'Wellness at Sea' coaching programme, which it has been sponsoring for 10 years.

Since May 2020, we have facilitated the delivery of the Wellness at Sea training to more than 3,000 seafarers, empowering them to look after their own and others’ well-being across every area of their lives, giving them the best opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling seafaring career.

Charity Partners

Blue Marine Foundation

In May 2020, West donated a substantial sum to Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) to initiate and support the development of a Management Plan for the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area (NIMPA), Africa’s second largest marine reserve.

Symplefsi

West’s office in Greece actively supports Symplefsi, a local charity founded in 2014 by a team of doctors, nurses and other volunteers whose mission is to provide easy access to a range of medical care for the inhabitants of remote Greek islands.

Feeding Hong Kong

Feeding Hong Kong’s mission is to reduce food waste and to bring food from where it is plentiful to where there is a need. The charity rescues food from producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, food that is still good and safe to eat but would otherwise go to waste.

West supports the work of Feeding Hong Kong, including organising an annual informal gathering around the West office Christmas tree to encourage donations from our colleagues in the shipping industry.

Charity Partners

Macmillan Cancer Support

West participates in the coffee morning and other Macmillan campaigns to raise funds for this charity which does so much to help people living with cancer.

Our Forgotten Neighbours

Our Forgotten Neighbours is committed to improving the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable people within our communities and by doing so restoring their dignity. It runs soup kitchens and sends out care packages all over the U.K.

This year West joined their cause during the Christmas season, with all proceeds from our annual Christmas jumper day donated to them. We have also now set up a food back in our London office, with a group of staff volunteers who deliver the food to the bank on a weekly basis and help out at the soup kitchen every Thursday afternoon.