Member Article

Responsible Business Awards: a chance for Yorkshire & Humber businesses to shine

The charity Business in the Community (BITC) is urging Yorkshire and Humber companies to showcase their outstanding corporate social responsibility achievements by entering its annual Responsible Business Awards.

The UK’s longest-running and most robust corporate responsibility awards celebrate businesses that are delivering positive impact on employees, young people, local communities and the environment. From driving rural or high street regeneration, supporting disadvantaged people into employment, building long-term partnerships with schools, to enhancing the well-being of employees, the BITC Responsible Business Awards are an opportunity for companies of any size to be recognised for their commitment to a wide range of responsible business practices both in the UK and internationally.

Responsible businesses will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 21 small and large businesses across Yorkshire and Humber that were awarded a responsible business Big Tick or a winning accolade last year.

Last year civil engineering company JN Bentley, based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, was shortlisted nationally in the Workplace Talent and Skills Award category in the Responsible Business Awards. Judith Jeffery, the company’s HR and training manager, said: “The recruitment, retention and development of individuals is an essential part of ensuring a sustainable future for the business. To achieve this we engage with local schools and colleges to help inspire young people to pursue a future career in engineering and construction. We support all our employees in achieving the necessary academic qualifications and provide them with valuable experience of the workplace. “This good practice is a major part of our commitment to being a responsible business, and it was good to have the opportunity to share this with our peers through the Responsible Business Awards.”

There are 13 UK-wide categories in the Responsible Business Awards, including three new awards - the ‘Building Stronger Communities Award’, the ‘Sustainable Products and Services Award’, and the ‘International Disaster Relief Award’. Yorkshire and Humber businesses can also enter specific Local Impact categories which recognise excellence in their local area. These are: Employee Volunteering Company of the Year, Employee Volunteer of the Year and Community Champion.

Liz Needleman, area director for BITC England East, commented: “These awards recognise those businesses that have integrated responsible business behaviour throughout their organisation. They also provide businesses with an opportunity to stand up and be celebrated. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire more businesses to start on their own responsible business journey or to continue innovating in order to create a more sustainable world that is fit for today and for tomorrow.”

The closing date for entries is 21 February 2014. Companies interested in finding out more about the awards should contact Jenny Metcalfe at jenny.metcalfe@bitc.org.uk

2014 Responsible Business Awards category list:

• Responsible Business Award
• Santander Responsible Small Business Award
• International Award
• International Disaster Relief Award (NEW)
• Dairy Crest Rural Action Award
• Building Stronger Communities Award (NEW)
• Education Award
• Asda Enterprise Growth Award
• Work Inclusion Award
• Inspiring Young Talent Award
• Bupa Workwell Engagement and Wellbeing Award
• Engaging Customers on Sustainability Award
• Sustainable Products and Services Award (NEW)

2014 Local Impact categories for Yorkshire and Humber:

• Employee Volunteering Company of the Year
• Employee Volunteer of the Year
• Community Champion.

For further information about the 2014 Responsible Business Awards please visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards.

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