Record number of regional businesses enter social impact awards

Businesses around the region have broken the record of entry submissions for the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s social impact awards, Raising the Bar. Judging has now taken place for the Raising the Bar awards and the shortlisted companies have been announced. Entries were recived from across the region with an increase of 142% on last year, highlighting growth in the number of businesses ‘doing good’ within the region. A full list of the shortlisted companies can be found here http://www.raising-the-bar.org.uk An awards evening hosted by BBC Radio Leeds presenter Andrew Edwards on Wednesday 6 November at Leeds Civic Hall, will showcase how businesses work in the community, look after the environment, support the economy and educate. The 2019 Raising the Bar initiative has seen improvements to the measurement tool, which helps businesses in Bradford, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire measure their social impact, along with a new and improved awards application process. The Chamber’s Raising the Bar awards are sponsored by Provident Financial, Drax, Solenis, Esh Group and Leeds City Council are also supporting the initiative. David Calder, Site Manager of Bradford-based Solenis, who have previously won the Raising the Bar ‘Education’ category awards, said: “We were absolutely delighted to win the Raising the Bar Award for Education last year. It’s really good to get recognition from other people and businesses about the good we’re doing at Solenis. This year Solenis are delighted to get involved in Raising the Bar and to sponsor an award, because we want to encourage other organisations to work with the local community.” Beth Ruddy, Social Value Co-ordinator for Esh Construction explained: “There are so many businesses out there that are good things, Raising the Bar is a fantastic initiative to showcase what they are doing, businesses should be proud of the reasonable work that is being carried out.” Tickets cost £21 to West and North Yorkshire Chamber members, £36 to non-members, two free tickets are offered to shortlisted companies and one free ticket is offered to those who entered. To book your tickets simply call 01274 206660 or email events@wnychamber.co.uk The benchmarking tool is free to access and can be used throughout the year for business to measure their social impact, click on ‘my social impact’ on the Raising the Bar website http://www.raising-the-bar.org.uk/social-impact/ to find out more. More information about the West and North Yorkshire Chamber’s Raising The Bar awards and initiative email info@raising-the-bar.org.uk or call 08455 240 240.