Responsible business celebrated at South East Awards for Excellence

The South East Awards for Excellence Ceremony kindly supported by Audi UK was held at the prestigious Audi quattro rooms, Brentford on Wednesday 15th June 2011. The 2011 Awards for Excellence recognise the significant impact that the winning companies have made to positively transform the communities in which they operate through their responsible business practice.

Initiatives in the South East range from reducing waste and landfill, improving education and identifying and implementing innovative ways of getting to and from work and impact within local communities across the region.

Seventy delegates attended the networking breakfast. The accolades were presented by David Cook, Director, Corporate Marketing and Public Affairs 3M, Monica Wilson BITC’s South East Regional Director and BITC chief executive Stephen Howard.

2011 Big Tick Winners

8 Big Tick winners and 1 Re-accreditation were presented at the ceremony. These included:

Jaguar Land Rover Building Stronger Communities Award

British Gas Corporate Responsibility Programme (Re-accredited)

Asda Environmental Leadership Award

British Sky Broadcasting Group: Future proofing the business

Unipart Group of Companies - Environmental Leadership The Unipart Way - Example of Excellence 2011

Wates Group: Reshaping Tomorrow - Highly Commended 2011

Education Award sponsored by Nationwide Building Society

3M United Kingdom PLC - 3M supporting STEM

British Sky Broadcasting - Transforming young people's lives through sport

Maloney’s Retail Stores (Maloney's Budgens)

Ways2Work Award in association with NBTN

GlaxoSmithKline - Sustainable Travel and New Ways of Working

Santander Small Company of the Year Award

Maloney's Retail Stores - Small Company of the Year 2011, Example of Excellence 

Of these, five were shortlisted for the chance to win the overall Example of Excellence in their category, which were presented at a gala dinner at the Royal Albert Hall, London on 5 July 2011.

Delegates were welcomed by Jeremy Hicks, Director Audi UK who opened the ceremony followed by inspirational speeches from our community partners. Jill Hudson, Headteacher of Pegasus School, Blackbird Leys asked the audience to picture Oxford, a city perceived as being rich in literacy and affluence. However Jill soon dispersed this view stating that some areas of the city have 48% illiteracy rates.  The influence of role models with in the school has been significant to its success and that business can play a vital role in changing young people’s lives for the better.

Dean Prince, Job Club Manager, Queen Elizabeth Foundation, Surrey spoke about the work the QEF carries out and how businesses have helped support the charity over recent years. Legal & General were singled out for their support to the QEF, who have undertaken a World of Work days at their centres offices.

The South East Community Impact Awards, 2011 sponsored by Jobsite UK. 

Previously known as the South East Cares Awards the awards recognise the impact businesses have on local communities. A total of 11 entries were shortlisted from the submissions for the various categories. They were judged by an independent panel and the winners were announced by Mike Wall, Group Sales Director, Jobsite UK. Take a look at our regional award winners by clicking here.

The breakfast also marked the opportunity to celebrate and recognise individuals and business leaders within South East that have made a significant personal contribution to the local community.

David Cook, Director, Corporate Marketing and Public Affairs 3M was re accredited  as Regional Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales’ for the second consecutive year for his leadership and commitment to responsible business in the region.

David Cook (Director, Corporate Marketing and Public Affairs at 3M) said:

“It is an absolute honour to be invited to continue in the role of HRH Ambassador South East. I am passionate about making a difference and look forward to working with the SE Regional Director, Monica Wilson and her South East Leadership Team through the coming year.”

In addition Jill Hudson, Headteacher at Pegasus Primary School in Blackbird Leys, Oxford was awarded the South East Marks & Spencer Sieff Award -  set up in 2002 to recognise an individual based in the community who has best collaborated with business to benefit society.

Serkan Ceylan, Enterprise, Projects and Delivery Manager at Southampton Solent University addressed delegates on the current KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) being undertaken with Business in the Community, with the support of academic supervisor Steven Henderson. This research is aimed at greater targeting of impact on local communities in Hampshire.

The ceremony was closed by Stephen Howard, Chief Executive Officer, Business in the Community who emphasised the importance of corporate responsibility in the current economic climate. Stephen reminded the audience about Business in the Community’s origins in the 1980’s and how there has never been a more important time to engage on social issues across the UK. 

Commenting on the event, Monica Wilson Regional Director, Business in the Community said:

“I am thoroughly inspired by the businesses across the region striving to incorporate responsible business in all they say and do. 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. 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. All of our winners should be proud to be pioneers in this growing movement of individuals transforming businesses and by doing so transforming communities for good.”

For further information or photos from the event please contact Pat Smith