KPMG Wins Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award
KPMG has won the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award at the 2013 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards, held in Dublin last night (12/09/13). The judging panel selected KPMG for the sustained excellence of their CSR programmes.
The tenth annual Awards were partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, run in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and kindly sponsored by BAM Contractors and SmartSimple Software Ireland. Each winner was presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Tipperary Crystal from the new Contemporary Tipperary Crystal range.
Speaking at the event, Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive said, “Reaching the tenth anniversary of these awards is something that we are very proud of. It says something about Ireland’s business community that during the worst times of the recession they were always able to see beyond profit and margins and ask what else they could do for their local community and environment. The quality and reach of CSR initiatives is continually improving and we in Chambers Ireland will continue to recognise the best and encourage new companies to play their part.”
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Minister Phil Hogan T.D. continued, “I am delighted that my Department continues to support these awards which highlight the unique ways in which companies at the heart of this country’s economic development do business in a sustainable and ethical manner. I would like to congratulate not only tonight’s winners but also those who have been shortlisted and who continue to showcase the best of Irish business both at home and abroad.”
Tina Roche, Chief Executive of Business in the Community Ireland added, “Renewed focus on sustainability factors is allowing companies to build more robust business models for the future and is a viable route back to growth and job creation. These awards aim to inspire CSR excellence by embedding sustainability through the realization that the companies who are winners and nominees in these awards already have a head start on building a sustainable business for all our futures.”
Theo Cullinane, BAM Chief Executive concluded “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Chambers Ireland CSR Awards again this year, particularly as it’s the 10th anniversary of the awards. As CSR is embedded in the way we conduct business at BAM, I can appreciate the level of commitment which all the shortlisted organisations have shown delivering their various projects. I would like to congratulate Chambers Ireland and Business in the Community for once again organising such an important initiative.”
Other awards presented on the night:
Excellence in International CSR
ESB / EirGrid for providing a renewable energy solution for families in Central Eritrea through fuel-efficient stoves. This initiative enhances the lives of 500 poor female-headed families in Central Eritrea: their health and livelihoods are improved, girl children can go to school, deforestation and resulting climate change damage can be halted.
Excellence in Environment Award – Large Indigenous Company – Joint Winner
Servier (Ireland) Industries Ltd for achieving Nil to Landfill. Through the re-organisation of waste management Servier achieved a reduction in landfill waste from 38% to 0%.
Excellence in Environment Award – Large Indigenous Company – Joint Winner
University College Cork for their Green Campus Programme. The initiative aims to make environmental awareness and action an integral part of the philosophy of University Life.
Excellence in Environment Award – Multinational Company
Intel Ireland for producing The Remarkable Rye Water. This publication contains two decades of investigations which have documented the aquatic life and water quality of the River Rye.
Excellence in Workplace CSR Award
Microsoft for One Microsoft. This programme is an employee-centric approach that takes staff feedback into account to create a workplace which brings out the best in people by inspiring new and better ways of working and thinking.
Excellence in CSR by an SME Award
The Maritime Hotel for working Towards a Greener Hotel. This involves a proactive Green policy approach to protecting the environment implemented through all policies.
Excellence in Communication Award
Fuzion Communications for Safebook. Responding to the issue of Cyberbullying Safebook provides simple guidelines to promote the responsible use of social media and tips to those experiencing abusive behaviour.
Excellence in Marketplace CSR Award
Ulster Bank for BusinessWomenCan. This involves a dynamic collaboration between women-led businesses, mentored by internal and external ambassadors, working together to support women in business to be more successful.
Excellence in Community – Partnership with Charity – Large Indigenous Company
Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd for Global Schoolroom. This programme is designed to help Irish teachers share their educational experience with their counterparts in Northeast India.
Excellence in Community – Partnership with Charity – Multinational Company
TK Maxx Ireland for Give Up Clothes for Good. This charity clothes collection campaign asks the public to drop bags of quality unwanted clothing and household items into any TK Maxx store to raise funds for Enable Ireland’s vital services for children with disabilities nationwide, raising over €1 million to date.
Excellence in Community – Volunteering – Large Indigenous Company
Arthur Cox for their Special Olympics Ireland Volunteering. This programme promotes and supports employees in planning, organising and volunteering at training events for Special Olympics athletes every year.
Excellence in Community – Volunteering – Multinational Company
KPMG for St. Michael’s House Multi-Sensory Stories. This is a new and innovative product in Ireland stemming out of the need to improve the quality of story time for children in St. Michael’s House and is making a real difference to these children and their families.
Excellence in Community – Community Programme – Large Indigenous Company
A&L Goodbody for Supporting Suas’ Literacy Support Programme. This involves direct support to 8 – 14 year old school children in designated disadvantaged schools in Ireland to improve their literacy levels.
Excellence in Community – Community Programme – Multinational Company
Janssen Supply Chain Ireland for Message in a Bottle. This programme encourages people to keep relevant medical details in a bottle in their fridge and thereby enables appropriate medical treatment provided in the event of emergency.
-Ends-
For further information contact Amy Woods, Chambers Ireland on 01 400 4319, 086 6081605 or email amy.woods@www.chambers.ie.
Notes to Editor
Photography
Photographs to accompany this story will be sent to your picture desk or are available from Finbarr O’Rourke Photographic Services 087 2200590.
Judging Panel
The independent judging panel is made up of respected individuals working in the field of CSR. The panel act independently at all times. Judges do not participate in votes for categories affecting companies with which they are linked:
Preliminary Panel
• Shane Colgan, ERC Coordinator, Environmental Protection Agency
• Gerry Davis, Chief Executive, Public Relations Institute of Ireland
• Yvonne McKenna, CEO, Volunteer Ireland
• Seán McLoughlin, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
• Angela Smith, Corporate Social Responsibility Executive, Diageo
Main Panel
• Cormac Clancy, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
• John Cunningham, Chair, Immigrant Council of Ireland
• Cathal Divilly, Managing Director, Great Place to Work
• Martin Tobin, CEO, European Recycling Platform
• John Trethowan, Director, Business in the Community Ireland
• Hans Zomer, Director, Dóchas
About Chambers Ireland
Chambers Ireland is Ireland’s largest business organisation creating the best environment for members locally, regionally and nationally.
About the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government assumed responsibility of Community functions from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs with effect from 1 May 2011.
About Business in the Community Ireland
Business in the Community Ireland is a unique movement of companies committed to responsible business practices. Their purpose is to inspire, engage, support and challenge business in continually improving its positive impact on society in the community, environment, marketplace and workplace.
About BAM Contractors
Established in 1958, BAM Contractors, whose affiliates include BAM Building, BAM Civil, BAM FM, BAM PPP, BAM Property and BAM Rail, is a registered Irish company managed by Irish professionals and covers all types and size of construction activity. The company employs over 2,000 people directly and indirectly, working on projects such as transport, utilities and marine infrastructure, hospitals, educational, institutions, industrial, commercial and leisure facilities. BAM works closely with its clients, end users, supply chain, employees and community on all aspects of corporate social responsibility.
About Tipperary Crystal
Tipperary Crystal provided all award pieces for the 10th Annual Chambers Ireland CSR Awards. Founded in the 1980’s, Tipperary Crystal is an Irish design legend, and has become synonymous with high-end designs and excellent quality, creating modern and classical collections in Irish crystal and many other products. The pieces presented are from the new Contemporary Tipperary Crystal Range. To learn more about Tipperary Crystal and see a full range of products on offer please visit www.tipperarycrystal.com.
About SmartSimple Software Inc.
Established in 2002, SmartSimple Software provides an innovative process management solution in multiple markets. Organisations with thousands of employees use SmartSimple to record, track and report on philanthropic and granting activities which link dispersed stakeholders and communities. SmartSimple operates on an international level, with a diverse staff spread across Dublin, Toronto, and New York. Our platform is geared toward medium and large organisations of all types.