Big-hearted Warwick National Grid staff have earned a platinum-plated pat on the back after their involvement with the local community saw the company named one of Britain’s most socially responsible businesses.
National Grid is among just seven companies in Britain to achieve ‘Platinum Plus’ level in the Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index. The prestigious award, announced today (Wednesday 10 June), recognises those companies that make a positive impact on local communities and the environment and act responsibly in all aspects of business.
Staff at National Grid’s offices in Warwick Technology Park have been taking part in a wealth of community activities – from giving learning disabled athletes the chance to reach Special Olympics Gold and helping local schoolchildren brush up on their reading and number skills to revitalising wildlife havens.
Julian Buttery, Head of UK Community Relations, said: “We are absolutely delighted. Not only has National Grid achieved the highest Platinum Plus rating but it is the seventh year in succession that we’ve received the top tier ranking in the BITC Corporate Responsibility Index.
“This is a testament both to the enthusiasm and dedication of Warwick staff to making a real difference to the communities and environment in which we operate and to National Grid for encouraging people to get involved. This is the ultimate accolade for operating responsibly.”
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “I congratulate National Grid on achieving Platinum Plus in the 2008 Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index. At a time when trust and confidence in businesses is at an all time low, it is examples like this that will help to demonstrate that some businesses are taking the responsibility they have towards their people and the planet seriously and that it makes business sense.
“It is reassuring to see that climate change, skills development, supply chain management, board level reporting and workplace issues are top of the agenda for businesses. However, the results also show us that we still have a long way to go. If UK plc is to exit the recession fighting fit, then urgent actions need to be taken.”
Inspired by National Grid’s sponsorship of Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB), some 25 Warwick employees have been supporting learning disabled athletes, both by coaching and assisting at sports clubs and helping at SOGB events, including the recent cross country event at Leamington’s Newbold Comyn.
It’s back to the classroom for more than 30 employees, who take time out of the working day to help youngsters brush up on their reading and number skills at Emscote Primary School and St Mary Immaculate School in Warwick and Sydenham Primary School in Leamington.
Meanwhile more than 100 employees have been getting down to earth with a host of environmentally-themed activities, from creating new paths at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Clowes Wood in the south of the county to building a brand new kitchen garden at Newburgh Children’s Centre and Primary School in Warwick.
BITC’s Corporate Responsibility Index is the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. It helps companies to integrate and improve responsibility throughout their operations by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.
BITC Platinum status is awarded to companies that score 95% in the BITC Corporate Responsibility index. Platinum Plus status, new this year, was introduced in recognition of companies in the Index whose significant efforts to manage and measure their business impacts had surpassed the benchmarking criteria in other levels and whose outlook in this area showed real long-term commitment.
The award follows hot on the heels of National Volunteer Week (1 – 7 June), sponsored by National Grid, in which the company pledged to double the number of its staff involved in community activities and good causes.
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For further media information, contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655273.