Unipart has been recognised with a ‘Big Tick’ for its engagement and wellbeing programmes as part of the prestigious Responsible Business Awards 2014, which are run by the charity Business in the Community.
The Responsible Business Awards are the UK’s longest-running and most respected awards scheme recognising businesses that are making a positive difference to society and to the environment.
A ‘Big Tick’ is a leading endorsement of responsible business, and companies are awarded for initiatives tackling a range of issues: from stimulating local or rural communities, building long-term partnerships with schools, inspiring young talent, to embedding environmental sustainability into how products and services are used by customers.
Unipart achieved the Big Tick in the engagement and wellbeing category which aims to recognise organisations that are investing in the engagement and wellbeing of their employees.
Unipart will be presented with their Big Tick trophy at the Thames Valley Responsible Business Awards Gala Event on June 10 at Unipart House.
Commenting on the award, Unipart Chairman and Group Chief Executive John Neill said: “We’re very pleased to be recognised in the engagement and wellbeing category. Employee engagement and wellbeing is right at the heart of The Unipart Way and has been a vital part of our culture within the Group.
“We believe that for Unipart to be successful, we need to challenge and inspire our employees to look after their customers and to look after themselves. For over a quarter of a century we’ve invested in creating a learning culture in which people have the tools, skills and motivation to continuously improve performance for their customers.
“For instance, we recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Mark in Action awards. This must be one of the longest running awards programmes in the UK. The programme recognises employees who go beyond the normal call of duty and demonstrate outstanding personal customer service. To date, some 2,600 awards have been presented.
“Unipart also pioneered ideas around promoting health and fitness for employees. A few years after our management buyout we launched The Lean Machine, our employee health and fitness club, which was an integrated part of our operations in Oxford. It was opened by the then Secretary of State for Education the Rt. Hon. John Patten with a second phase opened by Secretary of State for Health, the Rt. Hon. Virginia Bottomley, in 1995.
“Combining our on-going wellbeing programmes and facilities like The Lean Machine, with strong employee engagement programmes continues to be an important part of creating a culture that has become a strategic advantage to our business.”
Commenting, Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “All year round, responsible businesses across the UK are contributing towards more resilient communities, stimulating local economies, creating diverse, skilled and healthy workforces and addressing skills shortages – yet these activities rarely get attention. The Responsible Business Awards shine a much needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. Each of the companies recognised are playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all. I congratulate Unipart for its Big Tick, which is a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.”