RS Better World Fund

Creating lasting value for people, communities and industry

The RS Better World Fund is our ambition to invest £5 million between 2026 and 2030 to champion the engineers of tomorrow, strengthen communities worldwide, and support innovative solutions that improve lives.

It brings together RS Group’s investment, people, products, expertise, and partnerships under one connected framework, helping us create measurable benefits for people, communities, and industry.

A connected approach to social impact

RS operates at the heart of the global industrial sector. We recognise the importance of developing future engineering talent, strengthening communities, and supporting innovation that addresses real-world challenges.

The Better World Fund builds on our existing social impact activity. By bringing our programmes and partnerships together under one framework, we can increase their scale and consistency, measure outcomes more effectively, and communicate our impact more clearly.

Our approach combines global ambition with meaningful local action, enabling our markets and people to respond to local needs while contributing to shared Group-wide goals.

The Better World Fund focuses on three connected areas where RS can make the greatest difference, as outlined here.

Championing the engineers of tomorrow

The industries we serve need the next generation of engineers, innovators and technologists.

We help young people build the skills, confidence and practical experience they need to succeed in engineering and technology.

Our support includes educational resources, project-based learning opportunities, technical competitions and access to RS products, solutions and expertise.

By connecting young people with real-world learning opportunities, we aim to help strengthen the future talent pipeline for industry.

Strengthening communities worldwide

Strong communities help people and businesses thrive.

Through the Better World Fund, we support eligible charities and community organisations through local partnerships, volunteering, fundraising and donations, enabling our teams to respond to the needs of the communities where we operate.

By combining global ambition with local knowledge, we aim to support relevant initiatives and create lasting positive impact.

Supporting innovative solutions that improve lives

We work with partners developing practical solutions to real-world challenges.

SolarAid is our global charity partner, selected by RS colleagues through a global vote. Together, we are helping expand access to clean, safe solar light in off-grid communities across sub-Saharan Africa.

Between 2025 and 2028, we aim to raise £1 million through monetary and product donations, fundraising, matched funding and gifts in kind. The partnership aims to reach 150,000 people, helping children study after dark, improving health and safety, and creating new opportunities for communities.

Creating measurable social impact

The Better World Fund will help RS to:

Develop future engineering and technology talent for RS, customers and suppliers

Strengthen communities through relevant local action

Support innovative solutions that improve lives

Increase the scale and consistency of our social investment

Improve how we measure and report our impact

Create lasting value for society, industry and our business

Progress will be reported through RS Group’s wider sustainability reporting.

Working together with our partners to create greater social impact

Partnerships are central to the Better World Fund.

We work with education providers, charities, community organisations, customers and suppliers to combine expertise, resources, products and reach. Through effective collaboration, we can extend successful initiatives and create greater collective impact.

All partnerships and investments are subject to appropriate eligibility, governance, due diligence and approval processes.

For enquiries, or to find out more:

Contact us here