Community Hero recognised for Bridging Business and Community in London

A community leader has been named the 2011 Marks & Spencer Sieff Award winner for London in recognition of his outstanding work catalysing sustainable partnerships between business and communities in London.

Satwinder should be commended for making a real individual difference in his community.  He is an inspiring example of how individuals can transform communities through powerful collaboration.” 

The Marks & Spencer Sieff Award was presented at a celebration event on Thursday 2nd June at international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.  The award recognises an individual, based in the community, who has best collaborated with business to benefit society, and is one of only two individual categories in Business in the Community’s prestigious annual responsible business awards the Awards for Excellence.

The Marks & Spencer Sieff Award was introduced in 2002 to coincide with Business in the Community’s 20th anniversary, and the retirement of pioneering corporate leader and founder member, Sir David Sieff of Marks & Spencer. This Award pays tribute to the long history of corporate community involvement that the Sieff family promoted. 

Satwinder Singh, Chair of Trustees at The Renaissance Foundation, has been recognised for setting up the foundation in direct response to the inadequate educational provision for the social and academic development of hard to reach young people. 

Most recently, in response to the Foundation’s funding needs, The Raindrop Project was set up.  It is a creative design agency employing young people with high skills who would not otherwise get access to work experience or employment in the field.  Raindrop’s profits will fund the charities education activities.

Commenting on the award, Paul Buchanan, National Community Impact & London Regional Director, Business in the Community said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Satwinder for his dedication and commitment to collaborative community work in London.

“In this difficult economic climate, there has never been a greater need for effective grassroots partnership.  Satwinder understands the value and importance of business and communities connecting to meet local needs and has been successful in creating powerful, sustainable partnerships. I encourage others to look at the example of what has been achieved here and replicate it in their own communities. Working together we can achieve real change.”

Mike Barry, Head of Sustainable Business, Marks & Spencer said: “We are delighted that Satwinder has been recognised as the 2011 Marks and Spencer Sieff Award winner for London.  Each year, we are thoroughly inspired by our award winners - those dedicated people across the UK, each working tirelessly to make a difference to the communities in which they live and work.  For 125 years we have strived to make a positive difference in the communities we trade, so we understand the time and effort required to create effective business/community partnerships. Satwinder should be commended for making a real individual difference in his community.  He is an inspiring example of how individuals can transform communities through powerful collaboration.” 
The Marks & Spencer Sieff award is the benchmark standard for successful community-business collaborations, recognising individuals whose contributions to society - by bringing businesses and communities together - have left a lasting, replicable legacy in the region."

One Marks & Spencer Sieff Award is made in each of the UK regions that BITC operates (East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, Northern Ireland, North West, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber).