Member Article

The Co-op in with a chance of claiming prize at 20th annual Responsible Business Awards

Manchester based business, the Co-op, is among the final nominees for one of the most prestigious corporate awards programmes, The Responsible Business Awards, run by the charity Business in the Community (BITC).

After announcing the shortlists eight weeks ago, BITC has revealed the top businesses in each category now in the running to be named overall winner at the awards next month.

The business has been recognised in the Experian Building Stronger Communities category for its work in linking fundraising and campaigning activity to tackle loneliness in UK communities.

With research indicating that loneliness affects around one in seven people in the UK, the Co-op teamed up with the British Red Cross, raising £5 million to establish new services, resulting in the business supporting 12,500 people, as well as the 700 charities funded through the Co-op Local Fund.

As finalists, the Co-op has presented its programme to an expert board level judging panel, with the overall winners announced at BITC’s Annual Responsible Business Gala at the O2 in London on 4 July, supported by Veolia (Responsible Business of the Year 2016).

Jane Wood, Director of Membership and Nations at BITC, said: “It’s great for the region to see the Co-op named as a finalist for these highly respected awards. This is testament to the responsible business activities the organisation been conducting and highlights the significant difference they’re making in the North West and beyond.

“The Co-op has demonstrated how businesses can be an influential force for positive change, I wish them all the best as they proceed to the Responsible Business Gala Dinner.”

This year’s awards attracted over 240 entries from businesses across the country.

Partnering this year’s awards is the Financial Times. Lead sponsors include: Unilever, UBS, The Unipart Group, Hogan Lovells, Fijutsu, Barclays, Aviva, Experian and UPS. For more information and a full list of all finalists, visit www.bitc.org.uk/finalists and follow @BITC on Twitter #BITCawards.

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