The Prince's Ambassador Awards 2011

The Prince’s Ambassador Award is given to individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business has resulted in change and improvement inside their own company and who have inspired other organisations to take action.

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He is someone who has steadfastly campaigned on a single issue with such a forceful and powerful call to action that, as a demonstration to others of the unique role business can play in society, there can be no better example.

The Prince's National Ambassador

John Varley, Senior Advisor to the Board, Barclays Plc

John Varley has a deep understanding of the inextricable link between business and the community and has used his leadership and unique ability to take action to benefit society and his own company.

Supporting the long-term unemployed back into work has become a personal as well as professional ambition, and the success that has resulted is inspiring and humbling.

As chairman of Business in the Community’s Business Action on Homelessness (BAOH) programme since 2006, the programme has grown remarkably, supporting over 5,000 homeless people. This year the 2,000th BAOH client will enter into employment making it the UK’s most successful programme for homeless people.

Since being chair of BAOH, he has lead a Prince’s Seeing is Believing visit each year, visiting hostels and homeless charities, resulting in 150 companies supporting Ready for Work, as well as 225 homeless agencies who now refer their clients to BAOH.

As comfortable washing up in a centre for rough sleepers as he is around a boardroom table, John has been a steadfast campaigner on homelessness and Business Action on Homelessness is a powerful demonstration of the power of collaborative action.