A water company boss said he was “humbled and honoured” after the business scooped a royal accolade for the second time.
Anglian Water – which has its headquarters in Huntingdon but serves businesses and households throughout East Anglia – was awarded the UK’s highest accolade for business – the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – for sustainable development.
The award, announced on the Queen’s birthday, was for the water and sewage firm’s efforts in reducing carbon and improving water quality – and for promoting social and environmental prosperity for local communities.
MORE – Retailer rewards staff with extra week’s pay for their efforts during coronavirus lockdownIt follows a Queen’s Award in 2015 for its ‘Love Every Drop’ strategy, started in 2010.
The campaign consolidated the company’s commitment to sustainability across the whole business, from the water it supplies to the recycling of used water before it’s returned to the environment.
The latest accolade was for adopting “an exemplary approach” in formalising its commitment to wider social purpose through amendments to its Articles of Association - the legal documents that underpin how the business is run.
The company has just launched a £1m Positive Difference Fund alongside a package of measures to support local communities and its employees with the fight against coronavirus.
As a member of Business in the Community, it has also played a key role in setting up a response network by bringing together charities and community groups who have urgent needs in the current crisis with businesses who may be able to offer support.
Anglian Water boss Peter Simpson said: “We’re humbled and honoured that our approach, the way we do business, and the hard work of all our people has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
“Now, with the backdrop of COVID19, the critical nature of our work has never been clearer – keeping taps running, toilets flushing and drains clear - providing the essential services our customers need, so they can use them without a second thought.”
He was “proud” at gaining the award for a second time, he said. “It’s testament to everyone who works for us, within our business and throughout our supply chain.”
Applications for Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2021 open on May 1, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here