Now Reading
Business In The Community UK Business Leaders Honour Anglo American's Commitment To Africa
Business In The Community UK Business Leaders Honour Anglo American's Commitment To Africa
Published 07-08-05
Submitted by Business in the Community
The Oracle International Award, in association with the Commission for Africa and the International Business Leaders Forum is judged by a panel of UK company peers and recognises a business that has supported development in Africa. The award was presented by the Rt Hon Paul Boateng, British High Commissioner to South Africa.
Business in the Community Chief Executive Julia Cleverdon said Anglo American were pioneers in understanding both the social and business imperatives of their operations in Africa.
"While the battle to end extreme poverty in Africa is top of the public agenda with the G8 Summit and the recent report from the Commission for Africa, Anglo American has had a long term commitment to implementing programmes which have a positive impact on local communities across the continent," Ms Cleverdon said.
"Their pioneering efforts show the positive economic and social impacts business can make on Africa through investment and provide a model which other companies can embrace."
Over 70 per cent of Anglo American's 209,000 employees are in Africa and last year they undertook new capital investment of $1.8 billion in Africa and paid $670 million in taxes. Reflecting their commitment to the continent, 74 per cent of Anglo's global social investment of $48 million was spent in sub-Saharan Africa in 2004.
In the early 1990s Anglo American were one of the first companies to develop a comprehensive strategy to seek to minimise HIV infection amongst its employees through education and provide care and support for those infected. 23% of their workforce in Southern Africa is HIV positive and as a result of the companies policy's 2,200 Anglo American employees are receiving antiretroviral therapy and a further 4000 in the earlier stages of infection are on wellness programmes.
The highly coveted Company of the Year 2005 was awarded to BHP Billiton, who beat-off strong competition to follow in the footsteps of Marks and Spencer (2004) and Carillion (2003).
Ms Cleverdon said BHP Billiton provided an inspiring example of building business success on values of sustainable development and responsible business practice and they were leading their industry towards sustainable solutions.
"Tackling head-on its most challenging sector issues, BHP Billiton is committed to building long term relationships with key NGO partners, such as Oxfam and WWF as well as governments and peoples on whose land they operate," she said.
"These partnerships deliver significant shareholder value as well as life changing economic and social impacts for communities that often struggle with poverty and disease."
Formally committed to the United Nations Global Compact, BHP are an active member of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and a founding member of the Global Mining Initiative, which focuses on the industry's role and responsibilities in sustainable development.
They are also one of the first companies in the world to report in accordance with the 2002 Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and have been recognised by the Global Coalition on HIV/AIDS with its Innovation Award.
BHP Billiton supports a variety of community initiatives in the locations where it operates, including South America and Africa with voluntary contributions to community programs totalling US$46.5 million last year.
Recognising individual leadership, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales' Ambassador Awards' were presented to John Spence of Lloyds TSB and Baroness Sally Greengross for their outstanding contributions to community.
"The main reason for making Sally my Ambassador is to recognize her achievements in chairing, since its inception in 2000, the Parliamentary All-Party Group on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The activities of this group have given a whole generation of parliamentarians the opportunity to debate the issues of CSR, and the challenges of integrating responsible business practice within companies."
In association with The Financial Times and the Department of Trade and Industry, the Awards for Excellence are the culmination of a 12 month rigorous process involving 200 independent assessors and judges from business, not-for-profit sector and government.
Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 800 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.
