Celebrations as Danske Bank crowned NI Responsible Company of the Year

Danske Bank has been named NI Responsible Company of the Year at Business in the Community’s 2019 Responsible Business Awards, held in the International Convention Centre in Belfast on Thursday 30 May.

The Bank also won awards in three categories, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing at Work and Responsible Digital Innovation, as well as being presented with the top award for the night.

Independent judges awarded Danske Bank with the prestigious award for demonstrating the implementation of a wide range of successful corporate responsibility initiatives that strategically address key issues and challenges in a way that creates value for both society and the business.

More than 600 business people from across Northern Ireland attended the annual glittering gala dinner to see Northern Ireland’s leading responsible companies recognised for outstanding contributions to their people, the planet and the places where they operate.

Supported by 2018 NI Responsible Company of the Year, Heron Bros., and in association with Ulster Business Magazine, the awards celebrate organisations that are making a difference by taking action to address pressing social and environmental issues – transforming communities and changing lives.

The ten 2019 winners were:

  • NI Responsible Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Heron Bros. – Danske Bank
  • Investing in your Community Award, sponsored by Caterpillar – Apex Housing Association
  • Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Legal Island – Danske Bank
  • Education Partner Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy – Esri Ireland
  • Employability and Jobs Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour – Graham Farrans Joint Venture
  • Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox – Ulster University
  • Responsible Product/Service Award, sponsored by Ciena – Translink
  • One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Survitec Group – ABP
  • Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port – Danske Bank
  • Responsible Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by Ciena – Danske Bank

Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of our winners, and those who were highly commended and shortlisted, for leading the way in responsible business practice. The standard for entries was phenomenally high and I hope that the achievements of the companies recognised will inspire others on their responsible business journey.

“Business in the Community is proud to be celebrating our thirtieth anniversary in Northern Ireland, working with some of the most innovative and responsible businesses, and these annual awards are a way for us to showcase and thank those organisations across NI that are taking responsible business action.”

This year, the theme of the evening was environmental sustainability. Keynote speaker, and international humanitarian, Linda Cruse spoke about her experience working alongside some of the world’s most influential figures, companies and foundations to help find solutions to some of the world’s most critical social and environmental problems. Her passionate account of working on the frontline challenged guests to think about their own contribution to making the world a better place.

Hosted by Barra Best and Tara Mills, guests at the black-tie event were treated to an inspiring showcase of Northern Ireland talent with a bespoke entertainment performances by Peter Corry Productions and pupils from the Belfast School of Performance Arts. 2019 Junk Kouture students who were hot of the runway from the finals, displayed the outfits they’d created – showstoppers designed entirely from junk materials and transformed into wearable works of art.

To find out more about the 2019 Responsible Business Awards winners, please visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards