Partner Article

North East firms shortlisted for Responsible Business Awards

Three North East 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.

Amongst the North East-based organisations shortlisted this year is Greggs, which has been recognised in the Unipart Outstanding Employment category for its ‘Inclusive Recruitment’ scheme. The initiative focuses on behaviours and attitudes rather than experience, offering job support to help reduce high unemployment rates amongst marginalised groups in the region.

Greggs has also been shortlisted in the UBS Award for Education category for ‘The Greggs Breakfast Club’ partnership, which has facilitated collaboration between 74 organisations and primary schools across the UK. The initiative resulted in almost five million wholesome breakfasts being provided free of charge to 405 schools across the country in 2016.

The other two North East businesses that made the shortlist are housing association, Gentoo Group and construction organisation, Esh Group. The former has been recognised in the Experian Building Stronger Communities category for its ‘Positive Engagement Service’, working to improve the lives of anti-social behaviour (ASB) perpetrators and reduce the number of ASB incidents. Meanwhile, Esh Group has been named in the UBS Award for Education category for its STEM programme, providing free construction-themed kits to primary schools to help tackle the UK’s STEM skills shortage.

Heidi Mottram OBE, Chief Executive of Northumbrian Water Group and The Prince’s Ambassador in the North East, said: “Every year, the Responsible Business Awards capture inspiring stories of businesses who are making a significant difference in their communities. I commend all three of the shortlisted firms from our region 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 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 .