BT is named Responsible Company of the Year

By Margaret Canning – 15 June 2009

BT has been named Northern Ireland’s Responsible Company of the year at an awards ceremony.

The telecoms giant was commended for its responsible business practices in the workplace and community at the Business in the Community awards at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Judges said: “BT was the runaway winner of the 2009 Responsible Company of the year title for its structured, measurable approach to corporate responsibility across a broad range of issues.”

Michael Ryan, chairman of Business in the Community in Northern Ireland, said this year’s awards were “particularly significant”.

“In the midst of economic uncertainty, enlightened companies are staying committed to their corporate responsibilities and understand the positive impact it makes on their business.”

Mr Ryan is vice-president and general manager of Bombardier Aerospace, winner of a special award for Business in the Community’s twentieth anniversary in Northern Ireland.

Dairy company Pritchitts was awarded for environmental improvement and drinks giant Diageo was given the responsible employer award.

Other winners included Ulster Bank, Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, and Newry millionaire Dr Gerard O’Hare.

Dr O’Hare, the managing director of Parker Green International, was named the 2009 Prince’s ambassador for corporate responsibility in Northern Ireland.

Wendy Osborne of the Volunteer Development Agency was awarded for her work promoting volunteering.

Paul Bean, from awards sponsor Resource, said: “We are delighted to have supported Business in the Community’s Awards in Northern Ireland for the past three years.

“Year on year we have seen a clear growth and improvement in the standard of entries and it is obvious that corporate social responsibility is climbing higher on the agenda in many boardrooms, including ours.”