Big-hearted National Grid staff in Northampton have earned a platinum-plated pat on the back after their involvement with the local community saw the company named one of Britain’s most socially responsible businesses.
National Grid is among just seven companies in Britain to achieve ‘Platinum Plus’ level in the Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index. The prestigious award, announced today (Wednesday 10 June), recognises those companies that make a positive impact on local communities and the environment and act responsibly in all aspects of business.
Staff at National Grid’s Lakeside office in Bedford Road, Northampton, have been taking part in a wealth of community activities – from giving local people with learning disabilities the chance to reach Special Olympics gold to regenerating wildlife havens and teaching youngsters about gas safety.
Customer Services Manager Clive Nicholas, Chairman of National Grid Northampton’s Community Initiatives Team, said: “We are absolutely delighted. Not only has National Grid achieved the highest Platinum Plus rating but it is the seventh year in succession that we’ve received the top tier ranking in the BITC Corporate Responsibility Index.
“This is a testament both to the enthusiasm and dedication of Northampton staff to making a real difference to the communities and environment in which we operate and to National Grid for encouraging people to get involved. This is the ultimate accolade for operating responsibly.”
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “I congratulate National Grid on achieving Platinum Plus in the 2008 Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index. At a time when trust and confidence in businesses is at an all time low, it is examples like this that will help to demonstrate that some businesses are taking the responsibility they have towards their people and the planet seriously and that it makes business sense.
“It is reassuring to see that climate change, skills development, supply chain management, board level reporting and workplace issues are top of the agenda for businesses. However, the results also show us that we still have a long way to go. If UK plc is to exit the recession fighting fit, then urgent actions need to be taken.”
Inspired by National Grid’s sponsorship of Special Olympics Great Britain, Operational Support Administrator Martina Smith and her colleagues set up two new sports clubs for people with learning disabilities in Northampton, offering coaching in gymnastics and cricket. Now the learning disabled athletes are going for gold as they prepare to compete in the National Summer Games in Leicester next month. A fundraising celebrity soccer match in May, organised by Martina, between National Grid staff and stars of TV’s Hollyoaks netted £5,000 for their efforts.
Northampton staff have also been forging links with Northampton Academy and Northgate Special School. Students from the Academy spent a day at the Lakeside office learning about National Grid’s electricity and gas networks before taking part in a six-week mentoring project which saw them design a website under the guidance of staff. National Grid also opened its doors for the day to pupils from Northgate Special School to give them a taste of the world of work as well as building a sensory garden at the school.
Meanwhile some 80 employees have been revitalising Northamptonshire wildlife havens, including Lings Local Nature Reserve and Pitsford Reservoir. Staff have been lending a hand to the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough by clearing bracken, building fences and creating rafts for nesting birds.
BITC’s Corporate Responsibility Index is the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. It helps companies to integrate and improve responsibility throughout their operations by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.
BITC Platinum status is awarded to companies that score 95% in the BITC Corporate Responsibility index. Platinum Plus status, new this year, was introduced in recognition of companies in the Index whose significant efforts to manage and measure their business impacts had surpassed the benchmarking criteria in other levels and whose outlook in this area showed real long-term commitment.
The award follows hot on the heels of National Volunteer Week (1 – 7 June), sponsored by National Grid, in which the company pledged to double the number of its staff involved in community activities and good causes.
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For further media information, contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655273.