Former US vice president Al Gore and HRH the Prince of Wales gave out a few gongs last night for corporate social responsibility (or just corporate responsibility as I was told it should be this morning). The Business Awards for Excellence were presented at a Gala Dinner at the Royal Albert Hall.

Basically, BT won company of the year; CEO of Marks and Spencers Stuart Rose was named the Prince’s Ambassador; and Academy Internet was awarded small firm of the year.

The full list of winners, if anyone’s interested, is below.

AWARDS FOR EXCELLLENCE – LIST OF WINNERS

The full list of winners and highly commended in Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence according to each category are:

Impact on Society Awards

Impact on Society Award in association with Tomorrow’s Company – for companies that are improving their business and their overall impact on society – in the marketplace, the workplace, the environment and the community – through leadership and integration of responsible business practices.

Example of Excellence:
BT Group

Highly Commended:
RWE npower

npower business Impact on Society Award for Small Companies in association with the Institute of Directors – for SMEs that are improving their business and their overall impact on society – in the marketplace, the workplace, the environment and the community – through leadership and integration of responsible business practices

Example of Excellence:
Academy Internet

Environment Impact Awards

EDF Energy Environmental Leadership Award in association with IEMA – for companies demonstrating leadership and improved impact by integrating environmental strategy into core business processes.

Example of Excellence:
Barclays

Highly Commended:
ScottishPower

Man Group International Climate Change Award in association with The Climate Group – for companies taking a strategic, comprehensive and innovative approach to tackling climate change.

Example of Excellence:
British Sky Broadcasting – The Bigger Picture

Highly Commended:
Tesco

Eco-efficiency Award – for companies taking a strategic, comprehensive and innovative approach to reducing waste and natural resource use.

Example of Excellence:
Lafarge Cement

Highly Commended:
GEDA Construction

Workplace Impact Awards

FirstGroup Skills for Life Award supported by the Department for Education and Skills, in association with Investors in People – for companies that support employees in the development of their essential literacy, numeracy and language skills in the workplace.

Example of Excellence:
Norfolk County Services

Highly Commended:
DHL Aviation (UK)

Unum Healthy Workplace Award supported by the Department of Health, in association with the Health and Safety Executive – recognising companies that are improving the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Example of Excellence:
AstraZeneca

Highly Commended:
Barclays
Centrica/British Gas

Marketplace Impact Awards

TATA Consultancy Services Marketplace Innovation Award – for companies that have successfully developed products or services that meet a social or environmental need, or an innovation that has improved the social or environmental impact of existing products.

Example of Excellence:
ScotAsh

Highly Commended:
Barclays – Microfinance
Redrow

HBOS Responsible Marketing Award – for a company that has
addressed opportunities or concerns around its products or services through responsible marketing, and by so doing, has achieved a positive impact on society

Example of Excellence:
Speedy Hire

Highly Commended:
Marks & Spencer

John Lewis and Waitrose Supply Chain Award supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – recognising companies that can demonstrate innovation and impact in working with suppliers to improve corporate responsibility across supply chains.

Example of Excellence:
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate

Highly Commended:
The Body Shop International

Community Impact Awards

BUPA Healthy Communities Award supported by the Department for Health – for companies that are helping to tackle deprivation and create sustainable, dynamic and inclusive communities.

Example of Excellence:
Barclays – Spaces for Sports

Highly Commended:
Manchester City Football Club

Merrill Lynch Raising Achievement in Young People Award supported by the Department for Education and Skills – recognising companies that help to inspire young people to achieve their potential and raise levels of attainment.

Example of Excellence:
Francesco Group

Highly Commended:
British Sky Broadcasting
BT

Employability Award sponsored by Accessible Retail – recognising companies that have effectively removed barriers to employment, resulting in disadvantaged people finding jobs.

Example of Excellence:
ESS (part of Compass Group)

Highly Commended:
MITIE Group

Cause Related Marketing Award – supported by the Office of the Third Sector within the Cabinet Office – for companies who demonstrate publicly their brand values, using their marketing to raise awareness of key social issues, mobilise consumers behind causes and support charities for mutual benefit.

Example of Excellence:
innocent drinks – Supergran

Highly Commended:
Sainsbury’s – Active Kids

Northern Foods Rural Action Award supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – for companies that can demonstrate the positive impact of their business in rural areas.

Example of Excellence:
Northern Rail

Highly Commended:
The Midcounties Co-operative

Leadership Awards

Marks & Spencer Sieff Award – for individuals based in the community who have successfully collaborated with business to benefit society.

Winner: Stuart Rose, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer

The Prince’s Ambassador Award – for individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business has resulted in changes and improvements inside their own company and who have also inspired other organisations to take action.

Winner: Adele Blakebrough, Chief Executive, Community Action Network (CAN)

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