The Awards for Excellence are organised in association with the Financial Times, sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry, and supported by ScottishPower. The awards criteria were developed according in line with the EFQM Excellence model recommended by the British Quality Foundation.

The 66 national finalists will each receive the BIG TICK to communicate the measurable impact of their corporate responsibility. A presentation will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Lancaster House on Thursday 12 June with the Minister for CSR, Stephen Timms, MP.

CSR Minister Stephen Timms said, “The range and quality of entries for this year’s Awards for Excellence is testimony to the commitment of UK businesses to CSR.

“CSR is fast becoming a hot-topic on the business agenda. Effective corporate engagement can impact on the major social and environmental challenges we face and what is more, it is good for business.

“These awards celebrate innovative and effective approaches to CSR and are a vital way of demonstrating the benefits of adopting a socially responsible policy – not just an ‘add on”, but as a core part of business practice.”

The winners will be announced at the Awards for Excellence 2003 Gala Dinner sponsored by ScottishPower on Thursday 10 July. Over 900 senior business leaders are expected to attend the dinner which will be held in London.

Business in the Community is a unique movement of companies across the UK committed to continually improving their positive impact on society, with a core membership of 700 companies, including 80 of the FTSE 100 (as at June 2002).

Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2003 – National Short List

National Short-List

This list shows the companies called forward for judging. It comprises:

All companies on the National Short List were called forward for judging over the period 15th to 19th May 2003. The national entries will receive their Big Tick certificates at an event hosted by the DTI at Lancaster House on 12th June. The regional entries will receive their Big Tick certificates at regional award events. The Short List will be announced in the FT on the 12th June and results will be announced at the Gala Dinner on the 10th July.

Impact on Society Award for a large company
committed to improving and reporting its overall impact on society - on the environment, in the workplace, marketplace and community, in association with the Centre for Tomorrow’s Company

Impact on Society Award for a small or medium company
committed to improving and reporting its overall impact on society - on the environment, in the workplace, marketplace and community, in association with the Centre for Tomorrow’s Company

RURAL IMPACT
Rural Action Award for positive business impact in rural areas, sponsored by the Post Office, in association with The Countryside Agency and Defra

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Business in the Environment Award for innovative environmental performance integrated into the company’s sustainable development strategy, delivering proven business benefits, sponsored by National Grid Transco

WORKPLACE IMPACT
Diversity Award for companies striving towards attracting a diverse workforce, sponsored by HSBC in association with the Diversity Alliance

Realising Ability Award
for initiatives that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of addressing disability (e.g. employability, retention, empowerment, mentoring), sponsored by UnumProvident, in association with the Employers Forum on Disability

MARKET PLACE IMPACT
Cause Related Marketing Award for using the power of the brands in partnership with charities or causes to address key social issues, sponsored by Centrica

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS FOR NATIONAL PROGRAMMES
for tackling social and economic disadvantage sponsored by Powergen UK plc and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Neighbourhood Renewal Unit)Neighbourhood Renewal Award for National Programmes for impact on specific locations, rural or urban, sponsored by mm02

Healthy Communities Award for National Programmes
building dynamic inclusive communities through impact on a social issue (e.g. health, crime, homelessness, digital inclusion) sponsored by Jaguar Cars and Department of Health

Education and Lifelong Learning Award for National Programmes
for impact in education (e.g. raising educational achievement, employability skills, life long learning), sponsored by Linklaters, in association with Department for Education and Skills and the National Association of Head Teachers

Collaborative Action Award
for national impact through companies working together (e.g. ProHelp, Cares, Business Action Groups) sponsored by Business in the Community’s Regeneration Leadership Team, in association with The British Chambers of Commerce

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS FOR REGIONAL PROGRAMMES
for tackling social and economic disadvantage sponsored by Powergen UK plc and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Neighbourhood Renewal Unit)Neighbourhood Renewal Award for Regional Programmes for impact on a specific location, rural or urban, sponsored by mm02

Healthy Communities Award for Regional Programmes
for building dynamic inclusive communities through impact on a social issue (e.g. health, crime, homelessness, digital inclusion) sponsored by Jaguar Cars and Department of Health

Education and Lifelong Learning Award for Regional Programmes
for impact in education (e.g. raising educational achievement, employability skills, life long learning), sponsored by Linklaters, in association with Department for Education and Skills and the National Association of Head Teachers

Collaborative Action Award for regional impact
through companies working together (e.g. ProHelp, Cares, Business Action Groups) sponsored by Business in the Community’s Regeneration Leadership Team, in association with The British Chambers of Commerce