THG Commerce, the complete commerce solution from THG Ingenuity, today announced a new charity partnership with Smart Works Greater Manchester. The partnership will harness the power of THG Commerce’s influential Women in Commerce Network to raise vital funds to support the charity’s mission of helping women break the cycle of hardship that results from being unemployed.  

The partnership will launch at the upcoming Women in Commerce Network event on October 9, 2025. The event brings together female leaders in commerce for an evening of networking and candid discussion under Chatham House Rules.  

The collaboration aims to address the significant challenges faced by unemployed women, as women are now applying for an average of 38 jobs* in an increasingly competitive job market. The challenging job market also has a significant impact on confidence, with 60% of women* feeling less confident after completing the application process. To counter this, attendees will be invited to donate pre-loved workwear with an empowering story attached. These donated items will be featured in a special exhibition at THG Studios in December.  

The exhibition will also showcase a curated selection of luxury fashion items from the Smart Works archive, including pieces from iconic brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. An auction of items donated by the Women in Commerce Network will follow the exhibition, with all proceeds going directly to Smart Works Greater Manchester. The funds will support the charity in providing high-quality interview clothing and coaching to unemployed women, a service that helps more than 67% of its clients* secure a job within a month of their appointment.  

Lucy Cooper, CCO, THG Ingenuity, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Smart Works Greater Manchester. These statistics are stark and show just how demoralising the job search has become. Our Women in Commerce Network is a powerful community of female leaders, and by coming together, we can make a real difference to the lives of women in our local community. This partnership is about more than just raising money; it’s about sharing stories, rebuilding confidence, and empowering women to achieve their full potential.”  

Jan Iceton, Chair of Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “We have enjoyed brilliant support from THG for five years, they share our passion for supporting disadvantaged women to succeed in upcoming interviews and to get a job. This new initiative with THG Commerce’s Women in Commerce Network represents the start of a new and exciting project together, culminating in a fashion archive exhibition hosted by THG Studios in December. This will raise even greater awareness of the work that we do, and drive both high quality clothing donations and financial support for our charity, at a time when our clients need us the most. We couldn’t be happier to have THG Commerce as a key partner as we move into the second half of 2025/26.”  

*SmartWorks Unemployment Index 2024