Does your company take Corporate Social Responsibility seriously?
With two new award categories alongside the award for Business Excellence and the International Trade award this year’s Business Challenge truly reflects the climate in which businesses in Devon and Cornwall are operating. Over the next few weeks we will take a look at each of the categories to discover what the judges are looking for. Here we put the spotlight on the new Corporate Social Responsibility award presented by Bond Pearce.
Richard Cobb, Corporate Finance Partner at Bond Pearce explains the reason for the CSR award saying “The best businesses manage to combine a focus on commercial success with an active emphasis on making a positive impact in the community and the environment. This award will recognise the unsung heroes amongst businesses throughout the region, big or small, who are committed to making a positive impact in ways beyond the bottom line.”
“People want to work for, buy from and deal with companies that make a positive contribution to the world.” he continues “Whilst many companies have CSR policies, this award seeks to find the business which can demonstrate putting their plans into effect successfully with an innovative approach that has achieved a significant impact.”
The winning company will need to demonstrate excellence and innovation in behaving ethically, safeguarding the environment and building positive links with the community. According to the judges the winning entry is likely to be:
- A company that develops it products or services, works with its suppliers and markets to its customers in an ethical and sustainable way.
- A company that demonstrates that within the workplace it is committed to investing in the diversity, skills and well-being of its employees.
- A company that has made a significant change in reducing its impact on the environment, either through not having done so before or changing the way it does.
- A company which embraces the community in which it is located by supporting, recruiting from, trading within and engaging with the local areas of social need.
Richard concludes “We want to find the company that best demonstrates an understanding of the importance of a pro-active and positive approach to relationships with clients, staff and activities in the marketplace, demonstrating what can be achieved when businesses bring about change.”
Companies throughout the region, regardless of their size or the sector in which they operate, are welcome to enter the 2008 Business Challenge Award for CSR. To find out more go to ww.businesschallenge2008.co.uk ahead of the deadline of 6 June 2008
Notes to editors
The Devon and Cornwall Business Challenge 2008 launched on Thursday 10 April 2008. The Devon and Cornwall Business Challenge awards are recognised as being the most prestigious in the region. The Challenge has been running for 20 years and in that time has recognised many key regional businesses for their commercial talent.
In 2008 there are four award categories:
- Corporate Social Responsibility Award presented by Bond Pearce LLP
- Business Excellence Award presented by KPMG
- International Trade Award presented by RBS
- Communications Award presented by Twofour
The closing date for entries is Friday 6 June 2008.
Finalists and other guests will be invited to a gala dinner at the Headland Hotel, Newquay on Thursday 9 October where the winners will be announced.
www.businesschallenge2008.co.uk
Please note a media pack is available from Liz Morgan (details below).
For more information please contact:
Liz Morgan
Bond Pearce LLP
Tel: 0845 415 6625
Email: liz.morgan@bondpearce.com
