Business leaders have been urged to donate their expertise to help one of the poorest communities in the country.

Some of Brighton and Hove’s most influential executives met to hear what they could do to help schools and charity organisations.

They were told how parts of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean suffered some of the worst levels of poverty in the country, with poor literacy, education and employment prospects.

The meeting was held at The Bridge Community Education Centre, which supports adults in the area and is looking for IT support and reading coaches.

Delegates included Zak Toumazi, chief executive of Sussex County Cricket Club, Huw Davies, chief finance officer at Wates, Andrew Swayne, group risk manager at Ricardo and Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses and Jill Grafflin of American Express. 

The Prince’s Seeing Is Believing event was part of the Business In the Community programme, which aims to improve prospects through education, employability, social enterprises and entrepreneurship.

Leading the visit was Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, who has been involved in Business In the Community events for 30 years.

He said: “It has been quite difficult to tackle poverty, particularly in East Brighton, which has the highest number of NEETs (not in education, employ- ment or training) in the county – 460 youngsters at the last count.”

Also leading the visit was Jason Woodford, chief executive of SiteVisibility and member of Business In the Community’s South East Advisory Board, who explained how his Brighton digital firm donated £25,000 worth of time to charity Extratime, which provides after-school and holiday care for children.

He said: “I’m not saying it will change the world, but I want to show how we can make a small difference to families in these communities.

“We want to give Extratime skills and resources so it can do its own marketing and promote itself. It’s about sustainability.”

The delegates also visited Brighton Aldridge Community Academy in Moulsecoomb, where teachers promote practical skills and entrepreneurship, and which is seeking business mentors.

They went on to YES (Youth Employability Service), BEACH (Brighton Employability and Careers Hut) and the football charity Albion In the Community at the American Express Community Stadium.

Paul Bonett, director of Bonett’s Estate Agents and former chairman of the Sussex Education Business Partnership, said: “Businesses must contribute to their communities if they want a sustainable long-term connection and quality employees.

“We have a real divide in this city and trying to engage with marginalised communities is really important.”

Zak Toumazi added: “The work these groups are doing is hugely inspirational. We have to do all we can to support them.”