Northgate-is - News Item 1031

Northgate Managed Services sponsors Education Partner Award in the 2010 corporate responsibility Awards

Business in the Community has launched the call for entries to its 2010 Regional Recognition Awards for responsible companies in Northern Ireland.

Sponsored by ESB Independent Energy and in association with Ulster Business Magazine, the annual awards, now in its fifth year, will see Northern Ireland firms battle it out for the coveted title of Northern Ireland’s Responsible Company of the Year amongst other, more specific awards.

Northgate Managed Services is sponsoring the Education Partner Award, other awards categories include:
• Northern Ireland Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by BT
• Local Community Impact, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Environmental Improvement, sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas
• Climate Change, sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace
• Workplace Health and Wellbeing, sponsored by Westfield Health
• Employer of Choice, sponsored by Foyle Food Group
• Diversity, sponsored by Invest NI
• Supporting Economic Growth, sponsored by ESB Independent Energy

Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk by clicking on the awards 2010 logo. Entries close on Wednesday 31 March 2010 with the gala awards ceremony taking place in Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Thursday 10 June.

Speaking at the launch, Paul Rooney, Chair of Business in the Community in Northern Ireland, said; "Every organisation in Northern Ireland is eligible to enter for a Business in the Community award.

“These awards are not about size, jobs or exports, but on how a business conducts itself in the workplace, the environment, the economy and the community.

“Our own research shows that organisations with close ties to communities and stakeholders enjoy higher levels of staff and customer engagement than those who focus solely on commercial gain. But, thanks to their close stakeholder ties, those same organisations also tend to generate more goodwill and profit

“Acting in a socially responsible manner is a win-win for business and these awards are intended to recognise and celebrate organisations that do the right thing by their workers, investors and their communities.

“Every company, regardless of size or location that receives a Business in the Community award should be rightly proud of its achievement.”

Eleanor Lee, Head of Marketing, Northgate Managed Services commented: "We are delighted to sponsor the Education Partner Award. Working with every school in Northern Ireland, we understand the importance of local businesses working in the communities where they are based to help raise the aspirations and achievements of young people through a solid business education partnership. We are delighted to be able to support the great work Business in the Community is doing to assist such companies to act responsibly and make a positive impact on their local communities. I am really looking forward to finding out the great things that local companies are doing to motivate and inspire young people to succeed and I wish all those who enter the awards very best of luck.”

Northern Ireland winners of Business in the Community’s UK Big Tick Awards will also be recognised at the gala event in the Belfast Waterfront Hall on 10th June.