Calling for entries for the 2019 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland are (l-r): Colm McElroy, Partner, Arthur Cox; Joe O’Neill, Chief Executive, Belfast Harbour; Mark McClure, Managing Director, Caterpillar NI; Ciaran McCallion, Head of Human Resources, Allen & Overy; Judith Marrs, HR Manager, Survitec; Noel Mullan, Commercial Director, Heron Bros. In front (l-r): Sonia Armstrong, Ulster Business; Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community and Ciaran McConnell, Managing Director, JP Corry.

Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk/awards. Entries will close on Friday 22 February 2019 at 5:00 pm, and the winners will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at Belfast Waterfront Hall on Thursday 30 May 2019.

The annual awards, which are run by Business in the Community, and in partnership with JP Corry, seek to recognise and celebrate firms in Northern Ireland that are making a difference by taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues. They are open to firms here of all sizes and from all sectors. There are ten categories up for grabs in 2019:

• NI Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by Heron Bros
• Diversity and Inclusion Award
• Education Partner Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy
• Employability and Jobs Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour
• Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox
• Responsible Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by Ciena
• One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Survitec
• Investing in Your Community Award, sponsored by Caterpillar NI
• Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port
• Responsible Product / Service Award

Chair of Business in the Community NI, Moya Johnston, Managing Director of Survitec, said: “The Responsible Business Awards are our annual celebration and recognition of responsible businesses, helping to encourage new ways of thinking and inspiring others to take action. Each time a business applies for a Responsible Business Award, it is raising the bar for others.

“The awards are free to enter and I’d encourage every business, no matter how big or small, to have a look at the range of categories and get your entries ready. If organisation is acting as a force for good, we want to hear from you.”

Companies seeking recognition for their responsible business at a national level may be interested in the UK Responsible Business Awards, also run by Business in the Community. Find out more at www.bitc.org.uk/awards. Closing date for entries is 22 February 2019.