Anglian Water, Ipswich Building Society and the East of England Co-op were among the firms honoured at the 2013 Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards for the East of England.

Anglian Water received a Platinum Big Tick award in recognition of its Love Every Drop campaign encouraging more efficient use of water, and the same award went to construction group Kier, in recognition of its “Brighter Future” corporate social responsibility programme.

Ipswich Building Society received a Big Tick award, and the Responsible Small Business of the Year title, for charitable initiatives which have raised more than £22,000. The society’s chief executive, Paul Winter, also retained his role as Regional Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales’ for his leadership and commitment to responsible business in the region for the second year.

The East of England Co-op received a Big Tick award for Rural Action in recognition of the rural business network created through its commitment to sourcing local food and drink.

And another Big Tick went to Norse Commercial Services in the Work Inclusion category, recognising its creation of 80 apprenticeships for vulnerable young people.

Recipients of Local Impact Awards included the University of Essex (for Work Inspiration), Essex & Suffolk Water (Employee Volunteering Company of the Year, won jointly with Kier Construction), UK Power Networks (Business Action on Public Health), and the print arm of media group Archant, whose titles include the EADT (for Green Skills).