BT, Barclays and IntoUniversity among organisations shortlisted for London’s top responsible business awards

A multinational telecommunications company, a leading global bank, and a national education charity are just some of the organisations shortlisted for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards – the capital’s top responsible business awards.

The City of London Corporation, which runs the Awards, has announced that 20 firms, making a positive difference to society through their responsible business programmes, have made the cut.

Firms of all sizes and sectors made the list, including:

Legal firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP, which has been chosen for its innovative partnership with Micro Rainbow. It helped Micro Rainbow to open the UK’s first ever safe-house for LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers through volunteer work, financial support and pro bono legal advice. Since 2017, the partnership has supported 37 homeless LGBT+ asylum seekers into safe housing.

Barclays Bank has been shortlisted for its digital skills programme Barclays Digital Eagles. Their “Digital Eagles” provide free training in coding to thousands of children, students and trainee teachers across the UK.  The initiative helps young people gain confidence and skills, helping close the digital divide through education around digital tools and technology.

Financial technology firm Refinitiv has been chosen for its initiative TicketAid, which is helping to redefine corporate philanthropy by reducing waste by transforming unused business event tickets into donations. TicketAid is a corporate ticket allocation website designed to give employees access to exclusive tickets that would otherwise go to waste whilst raising funds for some fantastic charities.  Since 2018, more than 4,000 workers have raised over £80,000 for charity.

The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards also recognises the work of SME’s. This year SME’s Gate One, K&M McLoughlin Decorating Ltd, Formation Architects and N- Able, have all been shortlisted for an award.

Over the last 32 years, businesses which have applied to the Awards have helped over 10 million people, mobilising 200,000 business volunteers and giving nearly £250 million in donations and in-kind support to London’s communities.

Applicants for this year’s Awards have supported 2,511,004 people across the UK, and provided over £31,900,000 in support their local communities, charities and enterprises.

They mobilised 54,170 business volunteers who contributed over 194,131 hours to community groups, schools and individuals across the UK.

Previous Award winners have reported winning new contracts, improved internal relationships, stronger reputations and increased PR as a result of being recognised with an award.

All applicants will be invited to The Mansion House in September where the winners will receive a prestigious ‘Dragon’ from Peter Estlin, the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

 

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman Peter Estlin, said:

 “It’s fantastic to see so many firms putting such tremendous effort into their responsible business programmes and going the extra mile to make a difference to society.

 “We have seen such a diverse range of initiatives, from employability and skills projects to tech-driven corporate philanthropy.

 “Congratulations to all the firms that have made the shortlist.  It’s important we continue to shine a light on such effective and successful responsible business work, not only to celebrate these achievements but to encourage other firms to follow suit.”

Rob Powell, Head of Pro Bono & Corporate Responsibility, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP, said:

 “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards for the second year running. Our work with Micro Rainbow, in launching the UK’s first safe-house for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers, has been a superb and hugely rewarding experience for our lawyers. The Awards are simply the most fantastic celebration of responsible business and we look forward to being part of it.”

 Liz Williams, Director of Digital Society at BT said:

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Award for Leadership in Digital Skills, which recognises the huge commitment we have made to driving the UK’s digital skills agenda through the Barefoot programme. BT has funded and managed Barefoot in partnership with BCS since April 2015, engaging both teachers and volunteers to get free, world-class computing teaching resources into UK primary schools.

“Digital skills are critical today, and in future, all jobs will involve technology; which is why the Barefoot programme not only delivers tech skills – it delivers life skills. We live in a world powered by technology and, working with our partners, schools and teachers; we will make sure the next generation can thrive in it.”

 Since it was founded in 1987, the Dragon Awards has attracted high-quality applications from a variety of organisations across London and the UK.

Our 2019 Finalists are:

Lord Mayor’s Award for Leadership in Digital Skills: Digital skills are critical to the UK’s competitiveness and to building an inclusive society. And this special award celebrates businesses, from across the UK, that are investing in the UK’s digital future

• Barclays – Barclays Digital Eagles – Supporting students and young people to thrive in a digital world
• BT PLC – Barefoot Computing
• Nominet plc and Livity – Nominet Digital Neighbourhood

Heart of the City Award: celebrates companies that have only recently begun to have a strategic approach to social impact in Greater London.

• Formation Architects – Formation Community Outreach programme
• N-Able – Responsible Business Programme

Boosting Social Impact Award: will go to a firm that is boosting its social impact in Greater London through its own schemes

• Gate One – Gate One and Coin Street: An entrepreneurial partnership
• Mace Group – Mace’s Volunteering for Better Communities

Inclusive Employment Award: celebrates companies removing barriers to employment and progression for disadvantaged, underrepresented or minority groups

• Goldman Sachs – Plumtree Court On-Site Diversity and Inclusion Programme
• K&M McLoughlin Decorating Ltd – Skills for Jobs Initiative
• Herbert Smith Freehills LLP – The Networked Scholarship Scheme
• KPMG – Black Heritage Reverse Mentoring Programme

Innovation Award: will be awarded to a business developing new ways to benefit London’s communities

• Refinitiv – TicketAid
• Weil, Gotshal and Manges (London) LLP – Micro Rainbow: the UK’s first ever safe house for LGBTI refugees

Regional Impact Award: celebrates businesses with a London presence that are strengthening regional communities beyond the capital

• KPMG – KPMG tackling the geography of disadvantage in social mobility cold-spots and opportunity areas
• Marsh & McLennan – Support at Home Manchester (SAHM)
• Standard Life Aberdeen plc – Better Futures Inclusive Employment Programme

Community Partners Award: will go to a community organisation that is working with firms to achieve excellence in social impact. It recognises good practice and innovation in building and maintaining effective cross-sector partnerships that benefit Greater London.

• City Year UK – For their partnership with Credit Suisse
• In2scienceUK – For their partnership with UCL
• IntoUniversity – For their partnership with UBS
• Taylor Bennett Foundation – For their partnership with Taylor Bennett, Brunswick, FTI Consulting and Finsbury

 

Further reactions from our finalists on making the highly coveted 2019 shortlist:

Mike Taylor, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs, Inclusive Employment Award

“Goldman Sachs is delighted to have been shortlisted for the Inclusive Employment Award category of the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards 2019.  As a firm, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Engaging with the local community and helping to drive positive change in the construction industry has been a key focus for us in the development of our new European headquarters in London. We are proud of what we have achieved with our construction partners, and the lasting legacy this will have on the industry and local community”

Philip Davidson, Managing Partner and Programme Sponsor, KPMG, Inclusive Employment Award

“KPMG is very proud to be a finalist for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards in the Inclusive Employment Award category. As Managing Partner, I have found it invaluable to receive feedback and guidance from one of our young colleagues who is completely involved in the business and has refreshing perspectives on topics which may at times be missed at leadership levels.

 I truly believe that this scheme is a significant step forward on our continuing Inclusion, Diversity and Social Equality journey, as it enables our business leaders to experience first-hand the benefits from working with diverse teams in an inclusive environment”

Emma Cooke, Head of Citizenship, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Inclusive Employment Award

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards in the ‘Inclusive Employment’ Category’, for the Networked Scholarship Scheme. We believe that business has an important  role to play in providing all young people, whatever their background, with the opportunities and skills to excel in complex and demanding business environments, and it is fantastic for our work and the hard work of our employee volunteers to be recognised in this way.”

Kevin McLoughlin, Managing Director, K&M McLoughlin Decorating Limited, Inclusive Employment Award

‘K&M are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Inclusive Employment Award category for 2019.   It’s great that we have been recognised for the hard work and investment that has been going on for many years, through our pre-employment, apprenticeship schemes and continuous upskilling of our operatives within our industry.

The unique nature of the route we adopt to allow people to try and enter our industry and get onto the work ladder is one of great foresight fully endorsed by all of our staff and contributors over the years.

With or without recognition this is something we know benefits us as company, us as an industry and the people within our community, who, simply put, just need that one opportunity!’

David Craig (CEO, Refinitiv), Innovation Award

“We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards for the Innovation Category. TicketAid shines a spotlight on what can be achieved through supporting employee-led social innovation initiatives, and we take great pride in seeing these flourish here at Refinitiv, for the benefit of our clients, employees and the communities in which we operate. TicketAid is a shining example of how we as large corporates have a role to play in redefining the relationship between corporate partnerships in the 3rd sector, in an attempt to boost fundraising activity for London and beyond.”

Matthew O’Shea (Director, TicketAid), Innovation Award

As Director of TicketAid, it’s both an honour and a privilege to have been chosen as a Finalist for the Innovation Category of the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. It’s been an incredible journey to see TicketAid go from ideation to implementation in such a short space of time and to great effect. We’re so proud of the funds we’ve been able to raise to date for some very worthy causes, and it’s a testament to Refinitiv for placing trust in an employee-led initiative that seeks to maximise social impact through reducing corporate waste in an entirely new, creative and innovative way

Zara Jeffery, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, International, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Regional Impact Award

“Marsh & McLennan Companies is delighted to be shortlisted for a Dragon Award, in recognition of our work with the British Red Cross to build more resilient and inclusive communities across the UK.

 “Through the Support at Home initiative, we’ve helped more than 2,000 vulnerable people settle back into their lives and regain their independence after a stay in hospital, and reduced hospital readmissions.

“We’re particularly proud of our 13,000 colleagues in the UK, who share our vision of making a difference in the moments that matter, and assisting others in their greatest time of need.”

Sandy Macdonald, Global Head of Corporate Sustainability, Standard Life Aberdeen plc, Regional Impact Award

“We’re delighted to be shortlisted in the Regional Impact Award category of the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards 2019.  As a firm with a substantial City presence and a strong regional presence – especially in Scotland where the financial services sector is such a key employer – it’s important to us to work with partners across sectors to make sure financial services is positively benefiting people in all communities where we operate.”

Tim Phillips, Managing Partner, Gate One, Boosting Social Impact Award

 “Gate One is proud to be a finalist for the Boosting Social Impact category for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon awards for our work with Coin Street Community Builders. “We’re delighted to be recognised for our contribution to the local community through the direct support and mentoring of young entrepreneurs and raising the funds needed for Coin Street to continue their great work.”.

Isabel MacAllister, Director of Sustainability, Mace Group, Boosting Social Impact Award

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for a Dragon Award highlighting our commitment to building sustainable communities and being a responsible business. This nomination reflects the hard work that people across Mace, our supply chain and clients have done over the last year to boost social impact and support charities, schools, community groups and young people who live in the communities we serve.”

Colette McHugh – Group Director, N-Able Group, Heart of the City Award

 “We are absolutely delighted to be a shortlisted for the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards 2019. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise how far we have come as an organisation in our responsible business initiatives over the last two years. Whilst there is much more to be done, we’re really proud of the progress we’ve made so far in supporting a wide range of initiatives that make a real difference to the communities we serve. To be recognised as a finalist as part of these awards is absolutely fantastic and spurs us on to achieve even greater things next year!”

Neil Farrance, Director, Formation Architects, Heart of the City Award

 “Formation Architects are delighted to be recognised for the impact out team have made on our local community, and we hope our efforts inspire other SME’s to get involved with Heart of the City.”

Melissa Lawrence, Chief Executive, The Taylor Bennett Foundation, Community Partners Award

“I am delighted that The Taylor Bennett Foundation has been shortlisted in the Community Partners Category for the 2019 City of London Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. We are in excellent company, with many community organisations demonstrating good practice and innovation, so to get this far in the process is a fantastic accomplishment for the Foundation.  I would like to pay tribute to our supporters and our alumni, we are all incredibly proud to have got this far.”

Rebecca McKelvey, CEO and Founder, in2scienceUK, Heart of the City Award

“in2scienceUK is honoured to be shortlisted for the Lord Mayors Dragon Award under the Community Partners category.  We look forward to highlighting the fantastic work our partners and volunteers undertake to provide opportunities to London’s most underprivileged young people, helping them to reach their potential.”

Dr Rachel Carr OBE, Chief Executive and Co-Founder, IntoUniversity, Community Partners Award

 “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for a Lord Mayor’s Dragon Award for our long-term community partnership with UBS. UBS has been an invaluable supporter of IntoUniversity since 2007, providing instrumental volunteer, financial and strategic support over the past 12 years. This shortlisting is well-deserved recognition for all the hard work that UBS and IntoUniversity employees have dedicated to the partnership over the years, which has enabled us together to provide crucial long-term support to over 17,000 young people across London.”

Nick Wright, Managing Director, Global & EMEA Community Affairs, UBS, Community Partners Award

“We could not be more delighted that the work and impact of IntoUniversity has been recognised through this shortlisting for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. That it also recognises our partnership is a testament to the great and sustained commitment of our employees and management, along with the work and effort over such a long period IntoUniversity have put into making this a real and deep partnership of equals. The issue of improving Social Mobility deserves nothing less and surely needs such collaborative, cross-sector working to make the progress that is so desperately needed. What could be more important than transforming the lives and prospects of London’s young people? Passion, purpose, people and partnership are a powerful combination.”

Article posted by Ikramul Choudhury