Best responsible businesses are celebrated
THE best examples of responsible business from across the Yorkshire and Humber region were celebrated at the prestigious Responsible Business Awards ceremony last night.
Hallmark, JN Bentley and Kier Services were recognised with a national ‘Big Tick’ – the first level of accolade – for their responsible business programmes, and 21 more companies were also recognised for their local impact.
The Responsible Business Awards, which are run by charity Business in the Community (BITC), are the UK’s longest-running corporate responsibility awards. The scheme was set up to champion and raise awareness of the best examples from across the UK of business making a positive difference and genuinely tackling key social and environmental issues with award-winning corporate responsibility programmes.
BITC area director, Liz Needleman, said: “The Responsible Business Awards are an annual opportunity to celebrate and showcase the powerful, positive role of business in our communities and those companies and individuals leading the way and truly making a difference. Our award winners are inspiring examples for other businesses of how companies can demonstrate their values with their actions.”
North Yorkshire-based civil engineer, JN Bentley, won a Big Tick for its “developing the engineers of the future” programme, which brings a stream of talented young people into the business, helping to tackle youth unemployment, significantly reduce recruitment costs and address the skills gap facing its sector.
The event also celebrated individuals and business leaders within the region that have made a significant personal contribution to the local community.
The annual Marks & Spencer Sieff Award recognises the importance of the next generation of business leaders. Kay Stevenson, communications manager at KC is among the first group of professionals to be recognised with the new award, which now recognises those individuals putting sustainability and values at the heart of their business to help transform the way we do business in the future.
Tony Reeves, chief executive of Bradford Metropolitan District Council was retained as regional ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales’ for his leadership and commitment to responsible business in the region for the second year.
JN Bentley is also shortlisted for the chance to be named overall winner in their category at the BITC gala dinner in London in July.
The accolades were presented by Liz Needleman and Stephen Howard, BITC chief executive and took place at Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford.
