Eight businesses from across the West Midlands have been recognised for their commitment to responsible business.
AF Blakemore, Capgemini, GeoPost UK, Jaguar Land Rover, The Midcounties Co-operative, National Grid, Pinsent Masons and Wragge & Co received their Big Tick Awards in front of more than 300 delegates at Birmingham Town Hall.
The Awards for Excellence – run by Business in the Community (BITC) – celebrated a host of initiatives in the region, ranging from a distribution service to support small food and drink producers to education programmes aimed at boosting literacy and numeracy.
There were also examples of work placements to support homeless people back into work and projects that helped improve the health and wellbeing of employees.
David Darlaston, regional director at Business in the Community, said: “The awards exist to highlight best practice at companies who have had a positive impact on the environment, their employees, through their supply chains and in the local communities they operate.
“There is a growing requirement to do more with less, which requires an innovative, creative approach to tackling societies biggest challenges, powerful collaboration, and effective leadership.”
The Big Tick winners were only one part of the evening, with Kraft Foods Community Impact Awards given to E.on, PwC and Shoosmiths.
Jo Thompson from PwC secured the Employee Volunteer award for her role in creating ‘Partnering with Communities Day’.
More than 300 staff volunteered off-site on the day, completing activities ranging from enterprise and employability events to practical environmental improvement projects in local leisure and nature sites.
Mr Darlaston added: “Our winners have these qualities in abundance, and the diverse nature of the projects recognised through the Awards for Excellence highlights the powerful impact created when businesses and communities connect to meet local needs.”
The final two announcements were Wade Lynn’s re-accreditation as Regional Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales’ and Shropshire Council’s Gillian Sneddon walking away with the Marks & Spencer Sieff Award to recognise an individual who has collaborated with business to best benefit their community.
Mr Darlaston added: “There is so much talent in West Midlands’ companies and it is great to see it being channelled into providing long-lasting benefits to the communities they operate in.
“This is a win-win situation for organisations. Not only are they doing business responsibly, but they are also enjoying numerous tangible benefits, such as increasing the skills of their staff, improving supply chain performance and positively building their brand.”
Business in the Community (BITC) is a business-led charity with a growing membership of 850 companies, from large multinational household names to small local businesses and public sector organisations.
