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February 2010
2010 Northern Ireland corporate responsibility awards now open for business, Sponsored by ESBIE

Business in the Community has launched the call for entries to its 2010 Regional Recognition Awards for responsible companies in Northern Ireland.

Clockwise from left: Launching the 2010 Regional Recognition Awards are John Heaslip, Business in the Community; David Elliott, Ulster Business; Alastair Pollock, Phoenix Natural Gas; Michael Ryan, Bombardier; Nigel McIlwaine, Foyle Food Group; Paul Rooney, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Lorraine Milne, Westfield Health; Susan Kinane, ESB Independent Energy; Eleanor Lee, Northgate Managed Services; Damien McAuley,

Sponsored by ESB Independent Energy and in association with Ulster Business Magazine, the annual awards, now in its fifth year, will see Northern Ireland firms battle it out for the coveted title of Northern Ireland’s Responsible Company of the Year amongst other, more specific awards.

This year’s award categories are:

• Northern Ireland Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by BT
  
• Local Community Impact, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  
• Education Partner, sponsored by Northgate Managed Services
  
• Environmental Improvement, sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas
  
• Climate Change, sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace
  
• Workplace Health and Wellbeing, sponsored by Westfield Health
  
• Employer of Choice, sponsored by Foyle Food Group
  
• Diversity, sponsored by Invest NI
  
• Supporting Economic Growth, sponsored by ESB Independent Energy

Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk by clicking on the awards 2010 logo. Entries close on Wednesday 31 March 2010 with the gala awards ceremony taking place in Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Thursday 10 June.

Speaking at the launch, Paul Rooney, Chair of Business in the Community in Northern Ireland, said; "Every organisation in Northern Ireland is eligible to enter for a Business in the Community award.

“These awards are not about size, jobs or exports, but on how a business conducts itself in the workplace, the environment, the economy and the community.

Our own research shows that organisations with close ties to communities and stakeholders enjoy higher levels of staff and customer engagement than those who focus solely on commercial gain. But, thanks to their close stakeholder ties, those same organisations also tend to generate more goodwill and profit

Acting in a socially responsible manner is a win-win for business and these awards are intended to recognise and celebrate organisations that do the right thing by their workers, investors and their communities.

Every company, regardless of size or location that receives a Business in the Community award should be rightly proud of its achievement.”

Susan Kinane, Managing Director of award sponsors, ESB Independent Energy commented: "We are delighted to sponsor these awards, which publicly recognise the many companies within Northern Ireland that are acting responsibly across the various elements of their businesses.  

The commitment to corporate responsibility of businesses here, which goes above and beyond getting the job done, is inspirational and motivating. The great work Business in the Community is doing to assist such companies to act responsibly and make a positive impact on their local communities should also be recognised and at ESBIE we are very keen to support this work.

When it comes to the judging I’m sure the independent panel of experts will have their work cut out with the quality of entrants. I’d like to wish all those who enter the awards very best of luck.”
Northern Ireland winners of Business in the Community’s UK Big Tick Awards will also be recognised at the gala event in Belfast this June.

For more information on Business in the Community, visit our website www.bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606.
ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Helen Bowman, Communications Manager, Business in the Community by e-mail at helen.bowman@bitcni.org.uk or on Tel (028) 9046 0606.