07 July 2010
EDF Energy Networks has been named an Example of Excellence in the Business in the Community (BITC) national awards, for its partnership with the British Red Cross to support customers during power cuts.
The Example of Excellence award is given each year to the overall winner in each award category and recognises excellence in responsible business practices.
EDF Energy Networks’ partnership with the British Red Cross started in 2008 to help give practical support to customers without power. As a result of this partnership, vulnerable customers are visited by Red Cross volunteers, who can provide hot drinks, torches, information or other practical and emotional support as required.
Awards judges commented that “The partnership between EDF Energy and British Red Cross is a brilliant idea and EDF Energy is leading the pack by showing how collaborative action is a real win-win. Over the past 2 years more than 100,000 EDF Energy customers have received practical and emotional support during power cuts.”
British Red Cross UK Director – South Eastern, Liz Page added: “We are delighted that our partnership with EDF Energy Networks has been recognised as an Example of Excellence by Business in the Community. The British Red Cross is dedicated to helping vulnerable people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. By building partnerships as successful as this we can reach more vulnerable people in their hour of need.”
EDF Energy was also highly commended for how it has driven a culture of learning and excellence within its Existing Nuclear business unit that has resulted in savings of £100m and independent recognition for global best practice within the nuclear industry. The judges commented that “The leadership and influence demonstrated in the sector by EDF Energy goes far beyond industry compliance to develop the skills needed for the future”.
This year’s awards ceremony marked the end of EDF Energy Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz’s successful year as HRH Prince Charles’ National Ambassador for the BITC, which has included the ‘Leadership for a Sustainable Economy’ inquiry and the launch of a taskforce to address skills needs. John Varley, Group Chief Executive of Barclays Plc was appointed as the new National Ambassador.
Vincent de Rivaz said: "We are absolutely delighted that EDF Energy Networks has been named an Example of Excellence by Business in the Community. We’ve had an outstanding overall result at the BITC Awards this year in recognition of the great work being carried out by our people across our company.
“This recognition comes during the year we have launched ‘Our Sustainability Commitments’, the scale of which goes beyond anything seen in the industry.
“We knew that in setting out these plans to change our business that we were setting ourselves challenging targets. But we also knew that our people would rise to the challenge and the progress that we are already starting to see in many areas would not be possible without them.
Personally, it has been an honour serving as the HRH Prince Charles’ National Ambassador and I wish my successor all the best in this hugely challenging and rewarding role.”
The awards follow the company receiving seven Big Ticks in this year’s BITC Awards. The Big Tick is awarded by BITC to companies able to demonstrate excellence in the way that they organise and integrate their responsible business practices and who can show a positive impact both on society and on the business.
EDF Energy was successful in the following categories:
Skills in the Workplace, Building Stronger Communities, Education, Responsible Supply Chain, Climate Change, Environmental Leadership, Active Communities
ENDS
For more information contact:
Rajan Lakhani 0207 752 2196
Notes to editors:
HRH The Prince of Wales Ambassador – the role
As President of BITC, HRH The Prince of Wales, annually presents the role of Ambassador to an individual whose leadership and commitment to responsible business practice and the actions they have taken personally to promote the Business in the Community agenda, have created a positive impact both inside their company and on wider society. This role lasts one year.
Vincent de Rivaz, was named Ambassador in July 2009.
In presenting Mr de Rivaz with the award, HRH The Prince of Wales described him as a powerful force for change - someone who not only demonstrated clear leadership personally, but also in his determination to define what companies should be doing on climate change.
Through his role as HRH The Prince of Wales’ Ambassador, Vincent de Rivaz was keen to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to not only understand the skills gaps that must be addressed if we are to achieve a sustainable economy but also to use the extensive BITC network to instigate transformational change across the UK.
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40 per cent of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people.
The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.
Business in the Community
Business in the Community mobilises business for good. Being a member of BITC means being part of an international network of responsible businesses committed to a sustainable future for people and planet. Our approach to responsible business provides a framework to support and challenge business to improve its performance and benefit society through our four areas of expertise – community, environment, workplace and marketplace.
We ask members to: Integrate responsible business across all areas of their operations; Collaborate to tackle key social issues in areas of greatest need; Communicate and inspire others by sharing their experiences and encouraging more to follow their example. www.bitc.org.uk