LONDON, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
ICAEW is calling for the UK's most sustainable businesses to enter the 2014 National Business Awards and be recognised for their achievements.
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Focusing on corporate longevity, the ICAEW Sustainable Business Award recognises organisations that have embedded business sustainability principles and practices and are reaping the benefits in terms of improved commercial performance, competitiveness, customer perception, staff engagement and prospects for continued financial strength.
In 2013 London Bio Packaging was recognised for its ability to embed business sustainability principles and practices. Founded in 2005 the organisation is a leading supplier of compostable and recycled packaging to the food and catering industry, they aim to supply customers with sustainable, high quality and affordable packaging - as well as give environmental, social and economic concerns equal consideration. 2012 saw Marks & Spencer win the award for their Plan A initiative which launched in 2007 - designed to address three global challenges - increasing pressure on the planet's finite resources, rising social inequality and the need for healthier, more sustainable lifestyles in the developed world.
Michael Izza, chief executive of ICAEW said: "ICAEW has long argued we cannot achieve a world where we can live in prosperity within the limits of nature without the active participation of business. This means changing the game and performing differently - not just holding on to traditional business models and achieving efficiencies. We aren't trying to stop people doing business; we are arguing for a change in world view that recognises business can be part of this.
"Sustainable businesses thrive in a world where resources - whether natural, economic, social or human - are at least maintained, not depleted. They are connected with communities and the natural world, and they function in a wider society and contribute to it. That is the sort of business that we are looking to celebrate with the ICAEW Sustainable Business Award."
The call for entries and nominations comes as the National Business Awards releases their Business Without Barriers study that shows over half of UK businesses say that they are 'quite confident' or' very confident' about growth for the year ahead when compared to 2013. The report surveyed over 500 business decision makers in the UK and found that 75% of businesses have seen growth in the last 3 years, with 34% of businesses saying they are offering new products and services. Businesses report the biggest growth areas in the last 3 years as customer base and loyalty, overall financial growth and development in quality of service, as well as 15% also reporting growth in sustainable practices as an area where their business is currently growing.
Recognising enterprise excellence, innovation and ethics, the thirteenth annual National Business Awards will celebrate a range of achievements through accolades including the ICAEW Sustainable Business Award, Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year, the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year and the QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Award said; "It's interesting to see that 15% of businesses surveyed for our report are investing in their sustainable business practices. This is a huge growth area for businesses in the UK and we're seeing more and more examples of organisations - from SMEs to large firms - demonstrating the commercial impact of sustainable practice."
To enter your organisation for the ICAEW Sustainable Business Award visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk
See the full Business Without Barriers report online here
The deadline for entries is 23 May 2014
The National Business Awards ceremony takes place 11 November 2014 at The Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London.
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards is the UK's most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its 13th year, the National Business Awards connects the nations' professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table events; and is UBM plc's flagship awards programme. Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information or follow us on Twitter @businessawards.
Categories include -
The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business
The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year
The BlackBerry Business Enabler of the Year
The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year
The Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year
The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year
The Digital Business of the Year
The New Business of the Year
The Customer Focus Award
The ICAEW Sustainable Business Award
The Social Enterprise of the Year
The Corporate Citizenship Award
The Innovation Award
The Growth Business of the Year
The Employer of the Year
The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year
The Ashridge Business School Leader of the Year
About UBM Live
The National Business Awards is organised by UBM Information Limited. UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premier brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors.
For further information or interview opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
Head of Communications
Tel: +44-(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
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