Business Awards 2011

FINALISTS:

Morgan Sindall PLC

This entry demonstrated Morgan Sindall is a company with a visible, embedded culture of community involvement at every level of its operation and what's more, its East of England team are leading the way.

There is a clear vision of making a sustainable and measurable difference to people's lives closely linked to the wider commercial benefits for the company.

Involving its supply chain in the community initiatives is particularly powerful.

As well as fundraising work, community projects and a detailed plan of action and good practice, the engagement with young people in education bodes well for the future success of its community impact.

V C Cooke Ltd

Working within the community to deliver real, measurable and sustainable community impact is fully integrated into the business strategy of waste management company V C Cooke in Ellough.

Whether it is through growing local partnerships, using the supply chain, rewarding success or recruitment process initiatives, the company makes a positive impact in the community.

Education work is exemplary, with local school visits and projects a regular feature. However, it is the sheer number of local projects which make this a strong entry.

Coupled with policies designed to change our behaviour around waste, all embedded in to the business strategy, V C Cooke is making a real difference.

Closed Secure Storage.

Part of the Open Youth Trust in Norwich, Closed provides an imaginative business model for sustainable community impact.

All of the proceeds from the secure storage business are ploughed back into the youth trust which delivers vital services to young people in Norfolk.

The business continues to expand with its offer of the most secure facility outside of the M25.

Thus far, more than £320,000 has been handed over to the youth trust in what is demonstrably a successful, long-term and sustainable community project.

CRITERIA:

Responsible companies recognise that good corporate community investments bring long-term sustainable benefits to both business and communities. This award acknowledges companies who are making a real impact on their local community - especially in areas of disadvantage. Innovative schemes are particularly sought together with those that demonstrate real partnership with community organisations. Nominations for this category are welcomed from either businesses themselves or community organisations that have witnessed a potential winner in action. The judges will be looking for initiatives that are sustainable, are relative to the size of the business and clearly show the measurable impact that has been achieved.

Business in the Community (BITC) stands for responsible business. We are a business-led charity with a growing membership of 850 companies, from large multinational household names to small local businesses and public sector organisations. We advise, support and challenge our members to create a sustainable future for people and the planet and to improve business performance. Our members work with us to define what responsibility looks like in the workplace, marketplace, environment, and the community - and we share what we learn about driving performance through responsible business practice. Business in the Community is one of The Prince's Charities, a group of not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is President. We work locally, nationally and internationally through a network of partners world-wide and have 28 years' experience of working with communities in greatest need.

We are delighted to jointly sponsor this award with the Norse Group who actively support a number of our programmes both in the East of England and nationally.

Norse Group Limited is the holding company of Norse Commercial Services, NPS Group and NEWS and has over 5,000 staff delivering facilities management, property consultancy and waste advisory services across the UK. Owned by Norfolk County Council, the Norse Group is able to deliver innovative, value for money solutions to its public and private sector clients. The Norse Group is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates and two of its companies; Norse Commercial Services and NPS Group are past winners of the EDP Community Impact Award.