Video Report: ‘Yorkshire Pride’ takes centre stage

IN the penultimate feature reflecting on the inaugural TheBusinessDesk.com Yorkshire Business Masters, we look at the Yorkshire Pride category.

TheBusinessDesk.com’s Yorkshire Business Masters were sponsored by accountancy firm KPMG, law firms Gordons and Walker Morris, official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire and peer support organisation The Alternative Board.

Yorkshire Pride – Most meaningful philanthropic initiative by an organisation or leader

James Newman, one of the judging who is also on the boards of numerous Yorkshire plcs, said the Yorkshire Pride category, sponsored by tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, celebrated companies with “worldwide renown” but which also put something back into the community.

Winner Jonathan Wild, chief executive of tea and coffee maker Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, told the audience organisations had to “get passionate” about getting involved in charitable and philanthropic ventures and said it made “sound business sense” to do so.

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Mr Wild has been instrumental in developing a United Bank of Carbon in association with other organisations to help preserve rainforests.

Katherine Miller, head of charitable administration at Sheffield-based health insurance provider Westfield Health, it was important for the company to put something back into the company on behalf its policy holders. The company has been a major supporter of the World Transplant Games.

William Whitaker, of Whitakers Chocolates, explained how he had helped raise £100,000 by taking part in Sir Ian Botham’s charity walks and by donating money from sales of the company’s chocolates to cancer causes.

Mr Whitaker said of the former England cricketer’s efforts: “The dedication to his cause is great to see.”

Presenting the award, Tracy Commons of award sponsor Welcome to Yorkshire, paid tribute to all the entrants and said “Yorkshire pride and passion” which all the individuals and companies had shown was one of the key messages for the tourism agency.

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