Responsible Business Awards Highlight Excellence in Scotland

Posted 12th June 2008 18:54pm

Scottish companies once again demonstrated their leadership in corporate responsibility at Scottish Business in the Community’s annual awards ceremony held in Glasgow on Thursday 5th June. The Awards for Excellence reward companies with a coveted ‘Big Tick’ for the positive impact their responsible business activities have in the marketplace, the workplace, the environment or in the community. They are the most rigorous awards in corporate social responsibility.

This year’s “Big Tick” winners highlight the breadth of the responsible business agenda in Scotland with categories ranging from promoting workplace health to fighting climate change. For the sixth year running, Scottish businesses were most successful in the education category. The six Award winners in this category clearly demonstrate that, by taking a strategic and long-term approach and creating partnerships which have clearly defined mutual commitments and benefits, they can have a measurable and enduring impact on school performance. It also brings business benefits beyond the ‘feel good factor’.

However, Scottish Business in the Community believes that much more needs to be done if businesses are really going to make an impact in delivering a sustainable Scotland. Commenting on the Awards, Samantha Barber, CEO of SBC said:

“Once again Scottish businesses have achieved an impressive number of ‘Big Ticks’ – a commendation that is not easy to attain. This proves that the private sector has much to offer the wider community beyond economics. Corporate responsibility - the willingness of companies to go beyond what is expected of them to contribute to building a sustainable Scotland - is powerful and can have a definite and positive impact on our society.”

She continued, “But these pockets of excellence must become more widespread if we are to achieve a far reaching impact. Scottish Business in the Community is committed to promoting corporate responsibility across all sectors. Our member companies are the leaders in this field, and working with them we can deliver corporate social responibility across the board. Corporate responsibility works for business, communities, and can make a huge difference in building a sustainable Scotland”

In addition to the 18 “Big Tick” winners announced last night, the organisation also revealed its new companies of the year. These prestigious awards are given only to companies who demonstrate outstanding leadership in corporate social responibility.

Lloyds TSB Scotland was announced as SBC’s Large Company of the Year. In the Judges’ comments Lloyds TSB Scotland “showed strategic fit between strategic objectives and CSR with clear outcomes and achievements.”

Design Links, a communications agency employing ten people, was announced as SBC’s Small Company of the Year, proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to making a positive impact.

The title of SBC’s Social Enterprise of the Year was awarded to Spruce Carpets – the UK’s first carpet recycling social enterprise. Judges said it was “an excellent story about innovation and sustainability built on a simple business model.”

The President of SBC, HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay announced (via video) Brendan Dick, Director of BT Scotland, as his new CSR Ambassador for Scotland. He said “Brendan is a highly-regarded member of the Scottish business community and has been responsible for driving BT’s devolved corporate responsibility programme in Scotland, using technology to tackle social exclusion with a range of partners…Brendan is a natural leader who always finds time to motivate and inspire others. For his genuine commitment to partnership-working and collaboration, I am so pleased to name him my Business in the Community Ambassador for Scotland.”
 

Launch of Asian Mentoring Network in Scotland

Posted 29th August 2008 15:19pm

The Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) Asian Mentoring Network is an innovative programme designed to encourage Asian business people to become mentors across all racial and faith boundaries. The SBC Asian Mentoring Network will encourage Asian professionals to share their experiences through motivational speeches to pupils and teachers at role-model presentations, mentoring, volunteering and work placements. Supporting the SBC Asian Mentoring Network is one way in which Asian professionals can contribute to building the next generation of successful leaders and communities can further develop their mutual understanding and respect.

The programme was launched at an event at the Glasgow Science Centre on Tuesday 19th August 2008. Samantha Barber, Chief Executive of SBC, said “Asian professionals will bring a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges young people face in making the transition from school to work. By harnessing their experiences and presenting success stories to youngsters SBC knows, from experience, that we can raise aspirations amongst young people. The businesses also benefit from their engagement with youngsters with increased understanding of the communities in which they work”

Scottish Business in the Community has 26 years experience working with businesses and building links with schools and community groups. By harnessing the success stories of some of Glasgow's most successful Asian professionals SBC believes the programme will help to raise aspirations and increase access to education and employment amongst young people.

L to R: Kirk Ramsay, Chief Executive, Glasgow Science Centre,Mohammad Sarwar, MP, Malcolm Thomson, Operations Director, SBC, Richard Rutnagur, Director, KPMG