Business

Belfast City Airport crowned north's Responsible Company of the Year

Picking up the NI Responsible Company of the Year award on behalf of George Best Belfast City Airport are Michelle Hatfield and Laura Duggan, along with Jorge Lopes from category sponsor Diageo and Kieran Harding (Business in the Community).
Picking up the NI Responsible Company of the Year award on behalf of George Best Belfast City Airport are Michelle Hatfield and Laura Duggan, along with Jorge Lopes from category sponsor Diageo and Kieran Harding (Business in the Community). Picking up the NI Responsible Company of the Year award on behalf of George Best Belfast City Airport are Michelle Hatfield and Laura Duggan, along with Jorge Lopes from category sponsor Diageo and Kieran Harding (Business in the Community).

MORE than 500 business leaders gathered for a glittering gala dinner in Belfast Waterfront Hall to celebrate business as a force for good at the Northern Ireland Responsible Business Awards run by Business in the Community.

A number of the region's leading companies were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their people, the planet and the places where they operate.

And the night's top award – NI Responsible Company of the Year - went to George Best Belfast City Airport, which was lauded as a firm that is making a difference by taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues – transforming communities and changing lives. Other winners were:

• Building Stronger Communities – Ulster Bank

• Diversity and Inclusion Award – Queen’s University Belfast

• Education Award – Farrans Construction

• Employability Champion – Marks & Spencer

• Environmental Leadership – Lagan Construction Group

• Marketplace Leadership – AES UK & Ireland (large business); Suki Tea (small business)

• One-to-Watch – Belfast International Airport

• Wellbeing at Work – Queen’s University Belfast

Business in the Community NI chairman Roy Adair, who is chief executive at Belfast Harbour, said: “These awards are a valuable opportunity to showcase and share responsible business practices, but also to celebrate the great things that Northern Ireland businesses are doing throughout the year.

With award entries up 20 per cent on last year, the judges had a tough time on their hands deciding the winners – the standard for entries was truly exceptional.

“I congratulate all the winners and those short-listed for leading the way in responsible business practice. I hope the achievements of the winning companies will inspire others to put responsible business at the heart of everything they do.”

The keynote speaker, mental health champion and former professional footballer, Clarke Carlisle, spoke about mental health issues and his own experiences which lead to him to attempt suicide. He now runs a mental health charity The Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis, which seeks to help raise awareness of mental health issues co-occurring with drug or alcohol misuse.

Hosted by Barra Best and Tara Mills, guests enjoyed an impressive display of local talent with a performance by Ulster Youth Orchestra, and music from over 100 children from four local schools before dinner. Following the meal, they were treated to a spectacular display of shadow art by Ukrainian artists Fireflies Verba.