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Business in the Community launches Awards for Excellence 2012 Business in the Community has thrown down the gauntlet to responsible businesses across the UK to enter its prestigious annual Awards scheme. The charity, which campaigns for all business to behave responsibly, formally opened the 2012 Awards for Excellence at its AGM in London yesterday (1 December 2011). With increasing public scrutiny on the role of business in society, Business in the Community’s annual Awards commends the best examples of business as a force for good. The Awards for Excellence recognise the powerful and positive role that business is playing in local communities by awarding companies for the impact and innovation of their responsible business programmes across a number of categories. Following the announcement that Business in the Community will formally acquire Arts & Business, the 2012 scheme also includes for the first time a new Arts & Business award recognising the role of business and the arts in stimulating cultural regeneration. Last year five companies were recognised in the North West regional impact awards including Morrison for their Carbon Neutral Repairs Service. A further eight companies from this region were recognised in our national Awards for Excellence, including Manchester Airport who attained the coveted Big Tick in three categories and Enterprise who attained two. Other North West businesses who were successful include Cumbrian headquartered, Impact International, United Utilities, Speedy and Trafford Housing Trust. The Co-operative Group and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service scored so highly they were selected to go forward to the final stage and were recognised as the overall winners of the Climate Change Award and Ways2Work respectively at the 2011 National Gala Dinner. Awards are given to companies who demonstrate their leadership on key social and environmental issues where business can make a difference. Paul Drechsler, Chairman and CEO Wates Group, who picked up the 2011 Responsible Business of the Year prize said: “We regard these awards as a honour to win and are extremely proud. However the real privilege and value comes from the collaboration with BITC and the many other excellent companies making a lasting difference to communities.” Raksha Pattni, Regional Director of Business in the Community said: “As we approach our 30th year there has never been time to scale up responsible business and champion those organisations and individuals making real difference at grassroots level. There are hundreds of companies right across the UK spearheading the responsible business movement by delivering creative programmes that truly make a difference. As friction between communities and business continues to dominate the headlines it’s time to showcase that business can be a force for good – for the mutual benefit of both business and the communities in which they live and operate. I would encourage responsible business of all sizes in the North West to enter today.” Applications are open to companies of all sizes and the closing date for entries is Monday 5 March 2012, unless otherwise stated on the application pack. The Business in the Community North West Awards team will be holding an awards workshop on 19 January for local companies interested in entering the scheme. As part of BITC’s 30th anniversary the 2012 Awards for Excellence will challenge businesses to do more, make a bigger difference and place responsible business at the heart of how they plan for the long term. Award winners in the North West will be recognised at a Gala Dinner on 14 June in association with United Utilities and supported by the BBC. For further information about the 2012 Awards categories and sponsors, or to download an application pack visit www.bitc.org.uk/NWawards. -Ends- |
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