The All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Responsibility Group (APCRG) has announced the companies long-listed for its National Responsible Business Champion award 2018, as selected by the Group’s Co-Chairs, Jonathan Djanogly MP and Baroness (Sally) Greengross.
 
This Responsible Business Champions scheme was introduced by the Group in 2015 to encourage MPs to take a closer look at the activities of companies in their constituencies and consider the extent to which they are operating responsibly. It is supported by Anglian Water, an active APCRG member and BITC Responsible Business of the Year 2017.
 
The Group again received some very impressive nominations from MPs representing constituencies across the UK.  The long-list of 20 Constituency Responsible Business Champions will be narrowed down to a shortlist of companies to be announced later this month.  A Parliamentary judging panel will then select the APCRG National Responsible Business Champion 2018, but the winner will not be announced until the APCRG’s Responsible Business Champions reception on 4 July 2018, when Andrew Griffiths MP, the Corporate Responsibility Minister, will present the award to the winner.
 
As in previous years, a wide variety of companies from across the UK have been nominated by MPs from small high street businesses to large companies. Their activities range from aerospace, ammunitions, care and construction to farm shops, football clubs and opticians.  The one thing they have in common is their commitment to their communities, customers, employees and suppliers.
 
Baroness Greengross said:
“We were delighted to receive so many nominations from MPs again this year, with several MPs nominating a company for the first time.  It is always very encouraging to read about so many great companies doing wonderful work.  The nominations also demonstrate the cross-party support from MPs for responsible business practice.
 
We are looking forward to welcoming the nominating MPs and representatives of their Constituency Responsible Business Champions to Parliament, when we will celebrate their achievements together.”
 
Jonathan Djanogly MP said:
“As an MP myself, I know how busy MPs are, particularly as important Brexit legislation comes back to the Commons for us to consider.   We are grateful to all the nominating MPs who have taken the time to support our scheme by nominating a local company as their Constituency Responsible Business Champion. These Constituency Champions can be very proud of their success, which we hope will inspire other companies to follow the very positive example they set.
 
I was delighted to see that the responsible businesses nominated by MPs included both households names, such as BAE Systems, De La Rue plc and WH Smith, but also many small and medium sized businesses, such as Ardross Farm Shop, Thomas Carter Opticians and Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies.”
 
Constituency Responsible Business Champions long-listed for the 2018 APCRG National Responsible Business Champion award