Efficiency North is extremely proud to be named as one of Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Champions in their 2020 Responsible Business Awards, amongst some of the UK’s most prominent and successful commercial organisations. We are one of six finalists in the Unipart Outstanding Employment Award alongside Grant Thornton UK LLP, Heathrow Airport Ltd, ISS UK, Lincolnshire Co-op and Tideway.
As a 2020 Responsible Business Champion, Efficiency North has demonstrated full commitment to the responsible business agenda during times of extreme and testing change and exemplifies best practice that can motivate and inspire others.
Efficiency North has been a catalyst for driving sustainable socio-economic change in the communities of its social housing landlord members. Using intelligent procurement to channel employment and training opportunities, the organisation has developed a successful strategy to remove barriers to social mobility for tenants and residents in communities amongst the most socially, economically and educationally deprived in the UK, following the loss of key industries and the economic crunch. This successful strategy has in turn supported a 500% growth in business since the organisation was incorporated in 2014, enabling Efficiency North to develop more employment and training projects, such as the Humber Construction Hub, funded by CITB and Humber LEP.
Efficiency North also completed Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) Responsible Business Tracker for the first time this year and were pleased that scores in Education and Inclusive Growth established the organisation as leaders both in its benchmarking group and the whole cohort of those who responded.
Business in the Community was created nearly 40 years ago by HRH The Prince of Wales to champion responsible business. For over 20 years Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards have showcased transformational stories of businesses taking real action to build thriving communities. Each year, the Awards celebrate those businesses demonstrating strong, inclusive leadership, who continuously innovate to tackle pressing social issues and repair and rebuild our planet. The Awards recognise pioneering businesses addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
There are 33 Responsible Business Champions overall in 8 categories. Amongst these are the Bank of England, Sainsbury’s, the John Lewis Partnership, Nationwide Building Society, BT Group, Royal Mail Group, KPMG and Aviva.
Amanda Mackenzie OBE, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said: ‘Huge congratulations to Efficiency North and our other responsible business champions. In one of the most challenging years yet for responsible businesses, it is a comfort to know that there are organisations like this, whose clear purpose and powerful leadership can set an example to their supply chain and the industry at large. Our 2020 awards may not have been business as usual, but they leave us in no doubt that the UK has everything that it needs to build back responsibly.’
Lee Parkinson, Chief Executive of Efficiency North commented: “In what has been a very challenging year so far, I am delighted that Efficiency North has been recognised as a Business in the Community Responsible Business Champion in their 2020 Responsible Business Awards. The award reflects the hard work of our staff who work tirelessly to create flexible, high-quality training and employment opportunities for the tenants and communities of our member social landlords located in Northern England. The residual economic impact of Covid-19 means that our young people will require all the support and goodwill available to progress in their chosen careers. Receiving this award not only recognises the distinctive qualities of our efforts in this regard, but will also further inspire the organisation to continue to innovate in the provision of its outstanding employment and skills offer.”
For more information visit BITC’s website:
https://www.bitc.org.uk/case-study/rbchampion-efficiency-north/
https://www.bitc.org.uk/responsible-business-awards-2020/