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Four NorthWest firms shortlisted for Responsible Business Awards

Four North West businesses are celebrating today after making it onto the shortlist for the most prestigious awards programme, championing responsible business in the UK and abroad.

Run by the charity Business in the Community (BITC), HRH The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, the 2017 Responsible Business Awards showcase and celebrate the very best examples of businesses that are making a significant difference within their local communities. The companies shortlisted all share the same goal - a commitment to be a positive force for change, creating more inclusive workplaces and tackling environmental challenges among other themes.

Among the North-West based organisations shortlisted this year is the Co-op. The retail business has been shortlisted for the Experian Building Stronger Communities Award for its charity partnership initiative with the Red Cross, which linked together fundraising and campaigning to tackle loneliness in UK communities and support 12,500 people to reconnect back to their communities.

Cumbrian-based firm The Lakes Free Range Egg Company, has been recognised in the Environmental Leadership Award category for its ‘Trailblazing with trees’ programme. The company has planted over 157,000 trees, cut its carbon footprint to zero and made environmental improvements to 50+ farms through the programme.

The other two businesses in the North West that have made the 2017 shortlist are emergency response and environmental services specialist Adler & Allan, in the Barclays Award for Building Resilient Business category and Water Company, United Utilities in the Unipart Outstanding Employment category. Adler & Allan led a project to help companies deal with the impact of flooding, supporting them to re-open as quickly as possible and build long-term resilience. Meanwhile, United Utilities has been recognised for its youth employment programme, which has helped young people into work and provided them with valuable employability skills.

James Timpson OBE, Chief Executive of Timpson Limited and The Prince’s Ambassador in the North West, said: “Every year, the Responsible Business Awards capture inspiring stories of businesses who are making a significant difference in their communities. I commend all four of the shortlisted firms from the North West who have demonstrated how businesses can be an influential force for positive change.”

The companies chosen as finalists will be invited to present their programmes to an expert board level judging panel. The overall winners of all ten categories, including the Responsible Business of the Year, will be announced in front of 1,200 business leaders at the Responsible Business Gala Dinner at the Royal Albert Hall on 4 July, hosted by Veolia (Responsible Business of the Year 2016). The new Prince’s Ambassador in the North West will also be announced as James Timpson concludes his two years in the role.

The headline sponsors of the 2017 Responsible Business Awards are Aviva, Barclays, Experian, Fujitsu, UBS, Unilever, Unipart Group and UPS. For more information and a full list of all shortlisted companies, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards and follow @BITC on Twitter #BITCawards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Business in the Community .