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His Royal Highness, The Prince Of Wales, Awards Marks & Spencer Company Of The Year In Business In The Community's Awards For Excellence 2004

His Royal Highness, The Prince Of Wales, Awards Marks & Spencer Company Of The Year In Business In The Community's Awards For Excellence 2004

Published 07-06-04

Submitted by Business in the Community

London, UK - Last night (Tuesday 6th July 2004) at a glittering gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Carillion plc, Company of the Year 2003, at the Royal Albert Hall, London, before an international audience of 1600 business leaders, Government Ministers and leading opinion formers, HRH, The Prince of Wales named Marks & Spencer as Business in the Community's Company of the Year 2004 with The Impact on Society for a Large Company Award in association with Tomorrow's Company for its commitment to delivering measurable, positive impacts on society.

By integrating a set of values into its business practices, Marks & Spencer has been able to build its reputation as a responsible retailer. Marks & Spencer's track record as a responsible retailer has been endorsed by a number of leading NGOs. The company has been ranked number one by Greenpeace on non-GM foods, ranked as the top UK food retailer by Friends of the Earth on pesticide reduction, ranked number one by the Marine Conservation Society on fish sourcing and by Accountability/Insight Investment on labour standards. These ratings have contributed to Marks & Spencer being named as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index's most sustainable retailer in the world in the past two years.

Marks & Spencer's commitment to making measurable impacts
Marks & Spencer is:

  • One of the few retailers contributing to a new, tougher approach to chemical regulation.
  • The only retailer working to develop an approach to fisheries management that involves fisheries, environmental NGOs and local communities.
  • The only retailer to engage with civil liberties groups on the complex issue of using microchips to track products in supply chains and address a potential loss of consumer privacy.
  • Rolling out Marks & Start, the biggest work experience programme of its kind in the UK to help people who face the biggest barriers to getting a job to gain invaluable work experience in its stores and head offices.
  • A world leader in managing labour standards in supply chains, working not only with auditors but also with their suppliers and their workers.

    Held in association with the Financial Times and Department of Trade and Industry, the Awards for Excellence are the culmination of a rigorous 12 month process. The independent judging panel chaired by John McDonough, Chief Executive, Carillion plc, Company of the Year 2003, was unanimous in recognising Marks & Spencer's contribution to corporate responsibility through its commitment to managing the 'total footprint' of its business.

    Mark Goyder, Director of Tomorrow's Company, a business led think tank that focuses on issues fundamental to long-term success, said 'Corporate responsibility is one essential building block of enduring shareholder value. I hope Marks & Spencer's outstanding record as a responsible company will be properly valued as part of the overall decision shareholders now have to make about its future.'

    Julia Cleverdon CBE, CVO, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: ' We are delighted that Marks & Spencer has been declared by these independent judges to be our Company of the Year 2004. Its commitment to integrating responsible business practice through its business and working collaboratively with other businesses to tackle disadvantage has built trust from employees, customers and communities. Corporate responsibility is not a passport to paradise nor a guarantee of business success, but increasingly essential luggage for the journey.'

    Marks & Spencer being named Company of the Year 2004 was the highlight of an evening which recognised the 'Examples of Excellence' of UK companies across 14 categories in which companies have demonstrated best business practice. This year saw a record 101 BIG TICK companies who can all use the BIG TICK mark of endorsement for excellence in specific areas.

    For media queries on the Awards for Excellence 2004 contact: Sue Garland, Media Consultant for Awards & Conference on 020 7566 6631,
    mobile: 07834 338241, or email: sue.garland@bitc.org.uk

    Notes to Editors
    The BIG TICK was introduced in 1998 and has since been awarded to over 280 companies. Now widely recognised, it is used by recipients to communicate their achievements in the field of corporate responsibility.

    Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member companies. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society.
    Together, our member companies employ over 15.7 million people across 200 countries. In the UK, our members employ over 1 in 5 of the private sector workforce. Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and to the continual improvement of the company's impact on society. Our members commit to: 1) Integrate responsible business practice throughout their business 2) Impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage 3) Inspire, innovate and lead by sharing learning and experience. Further information about Business in the Community can be found at the website www.bitc.org.uk.

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