The Calico Group has been shortlisted in the 2015 Responsible Business Awards, run by Business in the Community.
The Responsible Business Awards is the most prestigious and respected awards championing responsible business in the UK and abroad. It celebrates inspirational companies that are taking action to address social and environmental issues and transform their communities.
The announcement of the 2015 Responsible Business Awards shortlist coincides with Responsible Business Week (20-26 April 2015) an annual initiative to increase awareness of the positive contribution of business in society.
The Responsible Business Awards celebrate the variety of ways that businesses are making a difference – from investing in the wellbeing of employees, to helping young people develop skills, or supporting small businesses to grow. 145 companies have been shortlisted in total across the UK, across the 13 award categories.
The Calico Group was recognised for its skills and enterprise programmes in the Freshfields Work Inclusion Award category, which recognises businesses that are supporting people from disadvantaged groups into employment and/or improving their employability skills.
Commenting, Philip Jones, Calico’s group head of skills, employability and enterprise, said:
“We’re delighted that our hard work and dedication has been recognised by Business in the Community. The Calico Group was founded as a community association, and we will always be driven by our desire to deliver social profit rather than simply financial profit.
“For the communities in which we work, we have now seen more than 3000 people receive support, advice, training and apprenticeship opportunities, each building new careers, each improving the lives of local people, each contributing to the prosperity of our region.
“Our passion to support and develop opportunities for adults extends far beyond our own business. We are proud to ensure that our partners, suppliers and contractors contribute to this goal.”
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:
“The Responsible Business Awards celebrate the very best of business, so it is fitting to be announcing the shortlist today as part of Responsible Business Week, which raises awareness of business as a powerful force for good. We congratulate Calico for playing its part in creating a fairer society and more sustainable future. The shortlisted businesses publically demonstrate that business has a greater purpose then simply generating profit and are a great example to others.”
All shortlisted companies will be celebrated through a series of Responsible Business Gala events taking place across the UK in June.
Of the shortlisted companies, a number will be chosen as Award Finalists to present their programme to a select group of senior business professionals in May for the chance to be crowned as overall winner in each category. These Award Finalists will be announced on 2 June 2015.
Overall winners will be announced in London at Business in the Community’s Annual Responsible Business Gala Dinner, in partnership with 2014 Responsible Business of the Year National Grid, on 7 July 2015.
For further information about the 2015 shortlisted stories, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards.