BUSINESSES in Peterborough are being urged to enter the Business in the Community Awards to demonstrate leadership, innovation and the impact of their responsible business.

There are now only eight weeks left to enter the Business in the Community Regional Awards – open to businesses operating or based in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex who integrate responsible business practice into their mainstream operations. The closing date for entry is March 31, 2011. Details of all the categories are listed below and application packs can be found by visiting http://www.bitc.org.uk/east_of_england/awards.html. Entry to the Awards is free of charge.

These Awards have become hugely prestigious and are considered the ultimate accolade by winning companies for their corporate responsibility activity.  The Awards will be presented at an Awards Gala Dinner kindly sponsored by Anglian Water to be held at Hengrave Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on Tuesday June 14, 2011.

Mike Brophy, regional director for Business in the Community said, “Entries to the Awards are always high, and I am often staggered by the pride that shows through in each of the submissions. They show us who the leaders are, and whose approach is making a real difference, both to people and the planet. It is apparent that that there are a huge number of smaller firms doing great things but not necessarily getting the recognition they deserve. I would like to see more entries from across all businesses.”

The Business in the Community Regional Awards categories:

Individual Employee Volunteer Award

This Award is for an individual employee whose commitment and dedication to volunteering activities has achieved the greatest impact on communities in this region.

Business Team Volunteering Award

This Award is for the business team of employees whose collective commitment and dedication to volunteering activities have achieved the greatest impact on communities in this region.

Carbon Positive Award

Open to companies who actively, and consistently, strive to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their businesses’ impact on the environment in the East of England and set an example to other companies.

Most Innovative New Programme Award  – sponsored by Serco

With a focus on innovation and ideas, this award is open to companies whose programmes are currently in the planning stage, or in early development, that will become the successful community impact programmes of the future in the East of England.

Pro Bono Company of the Year

Open to professional firms based or operating in the East of England that have provided pro bono support to voluntary or community organisations during 2010.  It is designed to recognise a regional company whose outstanding contribution has had a significant impact on the local community and society and sets an example to other companies.

The Right Step Award – sponsored by The Right Step

This Award is open to companies who have adopted the most innovative approach to working with the criminal justice system to help reduce re-offending in the East of England region.

Staying Healthy at Work Award – sponsored by NHS East of England

This award will be presented to the company who has demonstrated their commitment to implementing measures that encourages employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle thus reducing absenteeism through ill health.

Age Diversity in the Workplace Award

With a focus on the under 25s and/or over 50s age groups, this award is open to organisations who have clearly embraced the concept of age diversity in their workforce.

Community Impact Award – sponsored by Norse

This award will recognise the company who has demonstrated their outstanding commitment to having a positive impact on society, the environment and the business through their responsible business practice across the four disciplines of community, environment, marketplace and workplace.

Marks & Spencer Sieff Award

For individuals based in the community who have successfully collaborated with business to benefit society.

Best Business in the Community (Large Company)

This award will be presented to the (large) company that has had the biggest positive impact on communities inside the region.

Best Business in the Community (Small Company) – sponsored by Aviva

This award will be presented to the (small) company that has had the biggest positive impact on communities inside the region.

The Prince’s Ambassador Award

For an individual whose leadership and commitment to responsible business has resulted in changes and improvements inside their own company and who has inspired other organisations to take action.