Our 2017 winners have inspired us by opening up employment to often marginalised groups, helping social enterprises to develop and scale up, and using technology to redistribute surplus food to those who need it.

Commenting on the Awards, The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, said: 

“It is more important than ever that businesses take responsibility and step up to contribute to building a fairer and more prosperous society. I applaud all the valuable and innovative work taking place across the capital which is truly making a difference to our communities, as well as benefitting those employees involved. We want to encourage more businesses to follow the example set by our winners, and see what they achieve by going that extra mile to benefit society.”

If you missed our live coverage on Twitter, catch up via @Dragon_Awards.

And the winners are…

Impact Creative Recruitment
Heart of the City Award

For Future Proofing Talent Through Diversity. The initiative works to diversify the creative and media industries such as the media, fashion, TV and advertising, by connecting industry opportunities with a pool of untapped talent in Hackney. Impact Creative’s own workforce is now 10% more diverse and they have increased the diversity of the candidates they place with clients by 12%.  Find out more here.

UBS
Accelerator Award

For its Community Affairs programme in Hackney which has been addressing economic and social disadvantage in Hackney for 30 years. Over the past three years UBS has helped social entrepreneurs to set up new social enterprises and grow existing ones to support the most disadvantaged people in the borough. The programme includes funding of the Hackney Connect Award with UnLtd to develop the skills, confidence and opportunities for unemployed young people. Ventures supported by UBS have gone onto to support 4,500 beneficiaries.

Find out more here.

The Bromley by Bow Centre
Community Partner Award

For its partnership with Investec. The Bromley by Bow Centre works with Investec to empower people to create sustainable, profit making businesses – creating jobs, supporting the community and benefitting the environment. As a result of the partnership, 250 jobs have been created in East London from 44 social enterprises with a combined turnover of £2.3 million, with more than half being BME or woman led.

Find out more here.

Mayer Brown International LLP
Inclusive Employment Award

For its Refugee Employment Academy is a partnership project with refugee charity Breaking Barriers. The initiative offers paid work placements, employability skills workshops, language classes, a mentoring programme and support and advice for refugees looking for work. The initiative breaks down barriers and increases understanding of the skills and experience that refugees have to offer to the UK economy.

Find out more here.

Keytree
Innovation Award

Keytree for Plan Zheroes for designing a digital platform which provides an easy way for companies to donate their surplus food to charities instead of sending it to landfill. The platform has now reached over 700 charities, businesses and volunteers, primwith around two tonnes of food per month- the equivalent of 4,000 meals-being distributed to people in need. Keytree for Plan Zheroes is working with major food service and restaurant chains such as Compass Group UK & Ireland and Nando’s.

Find out more here.

PwC
Regional Impact Award

For PwC Social Entrepreneurs Club, a network of over 250 social entrepreneurs across the UK. Operating across 10 UK cities, the network has supported 446 social enterprises since 2011.  PwC uses the skills of its people and its wider resources to provide a wide programme of support for network members including mentoring, coaching, masterclasses, online learning and networking. In turn, these strengthened social enterprises can increase their positive impact in communities across the country. Find out more here.

Arsenal Football Club
Lord Mayor’s Award

For Arsenal in the Community, which has been chosen for its programme across Islington, Camden and Hackney, where coaches work with over 5,000 people across 150 venues each week. Through a range of footballing, educational, employment, health and social inclusion activities, the initiative offers support and a sense of belonging and connection to those that need it most.

Find out more here.

Article posted by Ikramul Choudhury