Wates takes top honour for responsible business

12 July, 2011

Wates Group Ltd has taken home the top accolade in Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) 14th Awards for Excellence. The building and construction giant based in Leatherhead picks up the title of Company of the Year in association with Tomorrow’s Company for its innovative approach and commitment to addressing the critical sustainability challenges that their industry faces.

Their commitment to sustainability dates back to 1974 with their work on the first zero carbon house. It continues today with their ‘Reshaping Tomorrow’ programme which includes the BRE ‘Rethinking Housing Refurbishment’ initiative. They transform the communities in which they operate by working with local schools to raise aspirations and build skills via apprenticeships and employability programmes.

Some of the impacts include:

• Over the last 3 years they have invested more than £5m in training and staff development
• Their long running Target Zero Waste programme saw 95% of non hazardous waste being diverted from landfill in 2011
• A new approach developed in 2010 to partner with social enterprises has led to contracts worth over £750k in catering, recycling, landscaping and more
• The accredited vocation programme aimed at long term unemployed has supported 363 people since it was launched. 155 people were supported by this programme in 2010, of which 65% went on to further training or employment with a further 100 apprentices receiving support during the year

Wates takes over as Company of the Year from Unilever who held the coveted title throughout 2010. 

Gavin Neath, Senior Vice President Sustainability, Unilever handed over the baton to Paul Drechsler, Chairman and Chief Executive, Wates Group in front of over 1,000 business leaders at a celebratory event at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 5th July 2011.

Mr Neath said: “The judging panel was impressed by their courage to take risks and tackle the really difficult issues, which makes them a great industry leader.  Wates Group really understand the bigger picture and have a clear vision of the role they will play in addressing the big sustainability challenges we all face while being socially useful by positively transforming the communities in which they operate. Our congratulations go to Paul Drechsler, Wates Group Chairman and Chief Executive and his team”.

Mr Drechsler said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious accolade. Corporate responsibility and sustainable business practices have always been a core part of the Wates’ ethos, which is summarised in our mantra: to make a lasting difference in the communities where we work. This award reflects the dedication of the people who have made this possible: our employees, clients, stakeholders, partners and all those who live in the communities we help to build.”

Mr Neath concluded: “There were many initiatives that impressed the judges but Wates stood out as they have led the way in minimising their environmental impact of their industry on target to achieve zero waste to landfill, they have created sustainable routes into employment for long term unemployed with over 350 people graduating from their Building Futures programme, raised aspirations of young people through partnerships with schools, invested £5 million in the learning and development of their employees, contracted with local social enterprises to the value of more than £750k and through Living Space they are developing practical solutions to the challenge of reducing energy consumption in the UK’s 26 million existing homes.

 Maloney’s Budgens scooped the Santander Small Company of the Year award in association with the IOD for their commitment to building corporate responsibility into the heart of their business and their communities.

Business in the Community would like to thank Unilever for sponsoring the Awards for Excellence 2011.

The awards in numbers:
With all national and regional award entries combined, BITC received 394 entries in 2011. 123 entries resulted in National Big Tick awards, and 65 of these were shortlisted for the Example of Excellence within their category. 87 companies had their 2009/2010 national Big Ticks reaccredited this year.

To hear Paul Drechsler speak after receiving the award click here

To see images of the event click here 

Categories: CR, people, awards, events

Tags: BiTC