North East businesses recognised by Prince of Wales’s charity

Six businesses from across the North East received national recognition from the Prince of Wales’s charity Business in the Community at a gala dinner in Gateshead  last night.

The BITC Awards for Excellence is a prestigious annual showcase of the UK’s most responsible businesses in action.    Now in their 14th year, the Awards highlight the best examples of the positive impact businesses are having in the environment, amongst their employees, through the supply chains and in the local communities in which they operate.

The 2011 Awards recognised a range of innovative projects and initiatives in the North East, including a programme to support a credit union in tackling  financial exclusion led by Gosforth-based Northern Rock, and a green travel developed  by Gateshead College.   Other winners included Sunderland-based housing provider Gentoo,   John Lewis Newcastle,  Procter & Gamble  and Northumbrian Water.

The accolades, which were presented by BITC’s Chief Executive Stephen Howard and BITC’s Regional Chairman for the North East, Carl Ennis , Managing Director of Tyneside-based Siemens Energy,  recognise the significant impact that the winning companies have made to positively transform the communities in which they operate through their responsible business practices.

Of these, Northern Rock and Gateshead College have been shortlisted for the chance to win the overall Example of Excellence in their category, which will be presented at a gala dinner at the Royal Albert Hall, London on 5 July 2011.

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

Greggs’ boss Ken McMeikan was recognised as Regional Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales’ for the second consecutive year for his leadership and commitment to responsible business,  whilst Kate Welch,  chief executive of  Peterlee-based Acumen Development Trust,   was  awarded the North 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.

Commenting on the event, Karen Wilkinson-Bell,  North East Regional Director for Business in the Community said:   “The Awards for Excellence highlight  the powerful impact created when businesses and communities connect to meet local needs: operating in one of the toughest years the UK has experienced,  our winning companies  strive to put corporate responsibility at the heart of their businesses and continue to make a positive impact on their employees, partners, local communities and the environment.”

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Notes to Editors

For more information, interviews with winners or images from the Awards event please contact Karen Wilkinson-Bell on 07768 994436

About the Awards for Excellence

Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence identify and celebrate companies having a positive impact on the community, environment, marketplace and workplace.

The Big Tick winners demonstrate significant impact and high quality management of their responsible business practices and can show a positive impact both on society and on the business. Now in their 14th year, they are the UK’s leading awards for responsible business practice. BITC received over 370 entries for the national Awards for Excellence.