Partner Article

North East still committed to responsible business

Two businesses from the North East have received Big Ticks in Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence.

The results of Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) Awards for Excellence reveal that, despite the recession, businesses in the North East are still focused on the impact that they have on people and the planet.

This year 358 organisations from across the UK entered the awards, with 106 achieving a Big Tick. The Big Tick is awarded to businesses able to demonstrate significant impact and high quality management of their responsible business practices and who can show a positive impact both on society and on the business.

The two successful businesses, Northumbrian Water and John Lewis Newcastle, will be presented with their Big Ticks at the Hilton NewcastleGateshead on Thursday 18 June.

Karen Wilkinson-Bell, BITC’s Regional Director for the North East, said: “Being a responsible business is a commitment to demonstrating leadership on the biggest social issues of our time; openly communicating your vision and values that others may follow; building trust among customers, clients and suppliers; and managing your company’s resources wisely, that others may be able to enjoy our world for many many more years to come.

“Now more than ever, at a time of reduced income and spending power, businesses need to demonstrate that to be a leading company is to be a responsible one. The Big Tick winners in the North East are certainly flying the flag for responsible business here, and I hope will prove valuable inspiration for others following in their footsteps.”

Northumbrian Water and John Lewis will be joined on Thursday evening by five other North East businesses whose award-winning programmes from previous years have also been re-accredited this year: these include Sunderland housing provider, Gentoo, and Peterlee-based npower, both of whom won national awards last year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .