National Grid named Business in the Community’s (BITCs) Responsible Business of the Year

LONDON, 10-7-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — The energy company was recognised for its “commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions for the future whilst supporting the need for economic prosperity now”

National Grid, the company that connects people to the energy they need operating Great Britain’s Gas and Electricity transmission network, has been named Business in the Community’s (BITCs) Responsible Business of the Year.

The announcement was made last night (Tuesday July 8) at an awards ceremony, attended by HRH The Prince of Wales and his sons The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, recognising the achievements of UK companies in their efforts to tackle social and environmental issues.

The Responsible Business of the Year title is the most prestigious accolade given each year and celebrates the biggest achievement from a single organisation making efforts to integrate responsible practice throughout its business.

Speaking following the announcement, National Grid CEO Steve Holliday, said: “We’re proud of our role serving the communities where we operate. We are responsible for delivering clean energy to support our world long into the future.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to build and maintain our networks, applying innovative design and being both creative and flexible in our approach to connecting people to the energy they need. And by embedding sustainability into our decision-making, we aim to preserve natural resources, respect the interests of our communities and create value.

“We invest time and energy working with young people today, making sure they understand the amazing world of engineering and energy, and are inspired to come into this fantastic sector in the future. We’re responsible for inspiring the next generation of talent to make sure they are in place to keep the lights on and the gas flowing for our society, long into the future.”

National Grid was recognised for its commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions for the future whilst supporting the need for economic prosperity now. It has lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 53% since 1990 – in line with an 80% reduction target by 2050 – whilst embarking on the biggest network expansion in 50 years.

As well as investing billions to embed responsible practices across the organisation, it is also inspiring the next generation of talent through education programmes, engaging schoolchildren with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects to help drive interest in the practical challenges of energy and sustainability.

The judging panel commended National Grid on its long term vision based on trust and connectivity saying “They demonstrate real foresight in using technology and innovation to develop solutions that protect their employees, their customers and wider society.”

The 2014 Responsible Business Award winners were selected from a group of over 150 leading companies recognised by Business in the Community for demonstrating commitment and achievement in responsible business. Collectively, these businesses have supported over 400,000 young people to find employment, saving society £24.6m through reducing the impact of unemployment or exclusion. Cost savings of approximately £10m have been linked to these organisations through wellbeing and engagement programmes. Furthermore, 80% of companies that have embedded environmental sustainability into their core products and services are seeing improved public and stakeholder perceptions as a result.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community, said: “Responsible Business Award winners have demonstrated innovation to drive positive change in our communities and as a result have seen clear benefits in terms of business growth, customer engagement or staff wellbeing. I congratulate National Grid for playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all.”

The event took place at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in front of 1,400 representatives from leading companies in the presence of BITC’s president HRH The Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales was accompanied by his sons The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, in recognition of work being done by responsible businesses to create employment opportunities for ex-service personnel.

The event was co-hosted by comedian David Walliams and Sky Sports anchor Natalie Pinkham, with a performance by the Military Wives Choir and young spoken word artist George the Poet.

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Notes to Editors:

National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world.  We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source.  In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.

In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.  In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:

• We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
• We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
• Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
• We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
• National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry – 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
• Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.

About Business in the Community
Business in the Community is a business-led charity committed to shaping a new contract between business and society. We have over 30 years’ experience forging better relationships between business and society, driven by a unique collaboration of business leaders. We stimulate action by challenging and supporting thousands of businesses to create a fairer society and a more sustainable future – through our local, national and international campaigns.

Business in the Community is one of The Prince’s Charities, a group of not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is president. www.bitc.org.uk

About the Responsible Business Awards
Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards celebrate the powerful and positive role that business is playing in society. The Awards are the UK’s longest running corporate responsibility awards. They articulate the role that responsible businesses have in transforming the communities in which they operate to improve people’s everyday lives, helping to create a more sustainable future for us all.

Rigorously assessed by independent judges, they are widely acknowledged as one of the most respected endorsements of responsible business.

In 2014, BITC received 413 award entries. 159 entries were awarded Big Tick – sought after accolades of responsible business – 59 of these were shortlisted within their category. 82 companies had their national Big Ticks reaccredited this year. www.bitc.org.uk/awardstories .