Santander Responsible Small Company Award

 In association with the Institute of Directors. For small and medium sized businesses that can demonstrate how they are operating their business in a successful and responsible way; creating a positive impact on the environment and their local community whilst also supporting and developing their workforce and creating positive change in the marketplace in which they operate.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) together accounted for 99.9 per cent of all enterprises, 59.4 per cent of private sector employment and 50.1 per cent of private sector turnover. In light of the considerable size and contribution of the SME sector, it is vital that we engage with SMEs and provide them with inspiring examples of responsible business practice to mobilise this sector.

Regardless of size, all businesses face similar issues – the need to recruit, retain and motivate good staff; the need to build trust with customers and provide customers or large clients with information on environmental and community issues; and a desire to ‘do the right thing’.

Aims of the category: This category is designed to recognise SMEs with a broad approach to responsible business – companies that are having a positive impact in all four of these areas;

• Marketplace – how a company develops its products, or works with suppliers, and/or markets its products/services to its customers;
• Workplace – how a company invests in the diversity, skills and well-being of employees;
• Environment – how a company seeks to reduce its environmental impact;
• Community – how a company supports, recruits from, trades with and engages with local areas of social need.

When completing the application you should demonstrate how your approach to responsible business and the impact you are having is touching on at least three of these areas, ideally all four areas. If your company’s approach and impacts do not include all four areas, you may want to consider entering one of the more specific award categories.

Eligibility: All standard eligibility criteria apply. Specific criteria: This award is only open to independent trading companies with no parent company, employing less than 250 (or full time equivalent). We only accept entries from privately owned companies, not social enterprises.

For more information on previous winners click here