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The Responsible Business Awards seek to recognise and reward firms in Northern Ireland that are embracing the journey to build better workforces, create a sustainable economy and healthy communities. In other words, to be a responsible business. They are open to organisations – large and small – from any sector from across Northern Ireland.

For more than 16 years, Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards have showcased transformational stories of businesses taking real action to build thriving communities. Each year, the Awards celebrate those businesses demonstrating strong, inclusive leadership, who continuously innovate to tackle pressing social issues and repair and rebuild our planet.

This year, due to the impact of the pandemic, we have changed our process. Those companies making the shortlist in each category have achieved Responsible Business Champion status and we are delighted to announce those companies here. The one exception is the NI Responsible Company of the Year*. For this overall category, we announced Asda as the winner in 2020. Read more here.

* Those companies achieving CORE – The Standard for Responsible Business have been able to apply for the top award, NI Responsible Company of the Year.

2021 Responsible Business Awards open for entry here.

2020 Categories

NI Responsible Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Danske Bank

For the company that best demonstrates positive impacts across its people, the planet and the places where it operates and advocates the benefits to encourage others to follow

2020 Winner

Age at Work Champion, in partnership with Age NI

For the organisation that best demonstrates its commitment and action to recruit, retrain and retain people 50+

Responsible Business Champion:

  • Bank of Ireland

Diversity & Inclusion Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour

For the organisation that best demonstrates excellence in creating and developing a diverse and inclusive workplace which offers opportunities for all.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Bank of Ireland
  • Belfast City Council
  • Ciena UK Ltd Belfast
  • Diageo NI
  • Heron Bros
  • Northern Ireland Water

Education Partnership Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy

For the organisation that best demonstrates how its actions have helped raise the aspirations and achievements of young people (aged 4-19) through a solid business education partnership.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • ABP Food Group
  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Dunbia
  • Farrans Construction/South Lake Leisure Centre
  • Henry Brothers Ltd
  • Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC)
  • Westrock

Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Heron Bros.

For the organisation that best demonstrates significant commitment and contribution to environmental sustainability in Northern Ireland through an initiative or its activities.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • ABP Food Group
  • Bombardier
  • Choice Housing Ireland
  • Encirc Ltd
  • GRAHAM
  • Keltbray Group
  • Lidl Northern Ireland Limited
  • NI Assembly
  • NIE Networks
  • Translink

Investing in your Community Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox

For the business that best works in partnership with local communities to address long-term social and economic needs

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) Ltd
  • Heron Bros
  • Lidl Northern Ireland Limited
  • Northern Ireland Water
  • Power NI
  • SONI Ltd
  • Ulster Bank Ltd

One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Ciena

For a *recently joined* Business in the Community member that has made significant progress in the development and implementation of its CR strategy *This category is open to members who joined from January 2018 onwards only.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Cleaver Fulton Rankin
  • Olenick Global Ltd
  • The Consumer Council

Responsible Digital Innovation Award, in partnership with Digital DNA

For the organisation that can best demonstrate how it has used digital solutions in a project or initiative that in turn tackle a social or environmental issue.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Barclays Northern Ireland
  • Henderson Technology
  • Lidl Northern Ireland Limited

Responsible Product/Service Award, sponsored by Translink

Recognising organisations that are developing innovative products or services that inspire responsible customer behaviour and encourage more sustainable lifestyle.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Huhtamaki Foodservice Belfast
  • Northern Ireland Water
  • SONI Ltd

Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port

For the organisation that demonstrates excellence in inspiring and supporting its employees to prioritise their health and wellbeing and embrace positive lifestyle choices.

Responsible Business Champions:

  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Bank of Ireland
  • GRAHAM
  • JP Corry
  • Lidl Northern Ireland Limited
  • Musgrave Northern Ireland
  • Northern Ireland Water
  • Power NI
  • Queen’s University Belfast
  • Selective Travel Management
  • The Henderson Group
  • Translink
  • Westrock

To find out more, please email Helen Bowman or call (028) 9046 0606.

Highlights from 2019:

The UK Responsible Business Awards

Running alongside the awards in Northern Ireland is our UK-wide awards programme. Business in the Community’s UK Responsible Business Awards are the longest-running and most respected awards championing responsible business across the UK and abroad. To find out more, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards.