THE chief executive of Ipswich Building Society, Paul Winter, has been named as HRH The Prince of Wales’ regional ambassador for his leadership and commitment to responsible business.

The honour was announced by Business in the Community, part of the Prince’s Charities group of not-for-profit organisations of which the prince is president, at its annual East of England awards ceremony, held at Hengrave Hall, near Bury St Edmunds.

Eleven businesses from around the region were presented with national Big Tick awards in recognition of responsible business practice, including two double winners, and 20 firms collected regional honours.

New Big Tick awards went to Anglia Water (for environmental leadership), City College Norwich (for health in the workplace), Inspired Change (for education) and the Jordans & Ryvita Company (in the rural action category).

Previous Big Tick winners receiving reaccreditation included BT (in the the ways2work category), BAM Construct (for work inspiration), Chapelfield Shopping Centre (for work inclusion), DHL Supply Chain (also for work inclusion), Norse Commercial Services (for both employability and skills in the workplace), Wates Construction (for work inspiration) and Whitbread (for both climate change and skills in the workplace).

A second individual winner was Nigel Graves, project office at YMCA Norfolk, who received the East of England Marks & Spencer Sieff Award , which recognises an individual based in the community who has best collaborated with business to benefit society.

Mike Brophy, regional director for Business in the Community, said: “Each year I am thoroughly inspired by the businesses across the region striving to incorporate responsible business into all they say and do.

“Our winners show great leadership and willingness to genuinely transform their businesses and the communities in which they operate.”

The awards event, attended by representatives from more than 300 businesses, was supported by organisations including Anglian Water, Adnams, Produce World, Dalehead Foods, Cambridge University Press, Farrows, Stansted Airport, Norse Commercial Services and e2v.

The full roll-call of regional awards included:

Employee Volunteer of the Year: Winner, Andrew Manig, Manig Business Advice and Training.

Employee Volunteering Team of the Year: Winner, Cambridge Building Society; Highly Commended, Cambridge University Press, Sainsbury’s Cambridge/Headways.

Carbon Reduction: Winner, Solo Cup Europe; Highly Commended, e2v, Morrison Utility Services.

Most Innovative New Programme: Winner, Inspired Change; Highly Commended, Dalehead Foods.

Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: Winner, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Breaking Down Barriers to Work: Winner, Sue Ryder; Highly Commended, May Gurney, UK Power Networks.

Pro Bono Company of the Year: Winner, WPP Architects Ltd; Highly Commended: Buckles Solicitors LLP, Critical Action Ltd.

Staying Healthy at Work: Winner, Ipswich Building Society; Highly Commended, Axiom Housing, University of Essex.

Local Community Impact: Winner, Dalehead Foods; Highly Commended, BAM Construct UK.