COMPANIES in the East of England have picked up 12 national “Big Tick” awards in recognition of responsible business practice.

And a further 24 regional awards have also been handed out at the annual Business in the Community East of England Awards for Excellence, held at Hengrave Hall, near Bury St Edmunds.

Anglian Water received three Big Ticks, for work in Climate Change, Environment Leadership and Active Communities, while two each went to Whitbread, for Climate Change and Skills in the Workplace, and Norse Commercial Services, for Employability and Skills in the Workplace.

Other Big Tick awards went to the Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Norwich (for Work Inclusion), BAM Construction, Cambridge University Press and Wates Construction (all for Work Inspiration) and BT (for Ways2Work).

Anglian Water also won the Large Company section of the Best Regional Business in the Community category, with builders’ merchant Ridgeons winning the Small Company section.

Mike Brophy, regional director of 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.

“There is a growing requirement to do more with less which means taking an innovative and creative approach to tackling society’s biggest challenges, powerful collaboration and effective leadership. Our winners have these qualities in abundance.”

Sponsors and supporters of the awards event included Anglian Water, Adnams, Produce World, Dalehead Foods, Cambridge University Press, Farrows, Aviva, London Stansted Airport, NHS East of England, Norse Commercial Services, The Right Step and Serco.

Other regional winners included: Business Team Volunteering: Winner, Ipswich Building Society; High Commended, KPMG, Kier Eastern. Individual Employee Volunteer: Winner, Emily Mills, Norse Commercial Services; Highly Commended, Alison Pennycook, Environment Agency.

Carbon Positive Award: Winner, Wates Construction; Highly Commended, Aviva, e2v. Most Innovative New Programme: Winner, Aviva; Highly Commended, BT Innovation & Design, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Age Diversity in the Workplace: Winner, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The Right Step Award (for work within the criminal justic system): Winner, Sue Ryder Care; Highly Commended, GYB Services.

Pro Bono Company of the Year: Winner, Farrows Ltd; Highly Commended, Partridge & Wilson Solicitors. Staying Healthy at Work: Winner, Norwich City College; Highly Commended, Ipswich Building Society, Wates Construction. Community Impact: Winner, May Gurney; Highly Commended, Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Cross Keys Homes.