These annual Awards, organised by responsible business network Business in the Community, recognise, reward and celebrate inspirational and impactful businesses in Northern Ireland that are taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues.

Organisations making the finalists stage of the Awards are:

• NI Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by Henry Brothers – Encirc, firmus energy, JP Corry & Veolia
• Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Ulster University – Baker McKenzie, Bank of Ireland, FD Technologies, Northern Ireland Water, Translink & Veolia
• Education Partnership Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy – ABP, Lyric Theatre NI, Mannok & PwC
• Climate Action Award, sponsored by Heron Bros – Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, SONI, Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster), Hughes Insurance, JP Corry, Mannok, McLaughlin & Harvey, Shoosmiths LLP & Translink
• Fair Chance for All Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour – Alexander Mann Solutions, Bank of Ireland, Northern Ireland Water & Veolia
• Investing in Your Community Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox – Breedon Ireland, Henderson Group/SPAR NI & McAdam
• Responsible Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by Allstate NI – Foyle Food Group, Heron Bros Ltd & Northern Ireland Water
• One-to-Watch Award – AG Paving and Building Products, Foyle Food Group & RiverRidge
• Responsible Product / Service Award, sponsored by Translink – Equans, Northern Ireland Water, Responsible Plastic Management Program & Wrightbus
• Wellbeing at Work Award – CavanaghKelly, CCEA, Cleaver Fulton Rankin, FD Technologies, Firstsource Solutions Ltd, Heron Bros Ltd, Hughes Insurance, Mackle Petfoods, SERC & SHS Group.

The winners in each category will be announced at a glitzy gala event in ICC Belfast on 8 September, a return to the in-person Awards event.

Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community said: “The standard of entries in 2022 was phenomenally high and this makes deciding which organisations go through to the final stages of judging a really challenging task.

“Our chosen finalists will now meet a panel of judges who are leaders in their field, to present their entries and answer questions. Even to reach this stage of the Awards process is a really fantastic achievement so I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those that have made it this far and wish all finalists the very best of luck.”

The Awards in 2022 are in partnership with key sponsor Henry Brothers, event partner JP Corry, drinks partner Diageo, and in association with Ulster Business and U105.

For more information on the Awards gala event and to see a full list of finalists, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards.