The Elite Group named as ‘Example
of Excellence’ in Business in the Community’s
‘Awards for Excellence 2003’.
Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Energy and
E-commerce, announced The Elite Group as an
‘Example of Excellence’ in the
‘Neighbourhood Renewal Award’
at Business in the Community’s annual
‘Awards for Excellence’ Gala Dinner
on Thursday 10 July at the London Hilton Metropole
Hotel. This coveted title is awarded to companies
that have demonstrated not only that they
are delivering significant positive impacts
on society, but also that they can inspire
other companies to improve their performance.
Making the award to The Elite Group, in partnership
with West Leeds Family Learning Centre, the
judges commented, “ A real partnership
of mutual interests in acquiring and achieving
quick results for the company and community.
A model and an inspiration.”
The Business in the Community Awards for
Excellence, now in the fifth year, is the
most prestigious awards for corporate responsibility
in the UK. In association with the Financial
Times, sponsored by the Department of Trade
and Industry,supported by ‘ScottishPower’,
Company of the Year 2002, and assured by ‘AccountAbility’,
they encourage companies to measure, continually
improve and communicate their positive impact
on society.
David Varney, Chairman of BITC said:
“ I congratulate all our ‘Examples
of Excellence’ on their fine achievements.
These companies have voluntarily submitted
to the rigour of our awards process and now
join a company roll call of the highest quality.
This year, the regionalisation of the Community
Impact Awards has led to a scaling up of responsible
practice which businesses place ever higher
on their agendas. We now have both large and
small companies across the UK displaying vitality,
innovation and commitment to improve the communities
in which they work. Just as importantly, they
can be viewed as beacons of best practice
by their peers from the many different businesses
sectors in which they operate”.
The Elite Group, which has 570 employees
involved in warehousing and distributing,
importing, exporting, freight forwarding and
processing of garments for some of the country’s
major retailers,won the ‘Neighbourhood
Renewal Award’ for regional programmes,
sponsored by mmO2 and the Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister’s Neighbourhood Renewal
Unity. The Judges said: “Hugely impressive.
The scheme is extremely well managed with
an excellent balance of focus and structure
delivered with passion and enthusiasm clearly
focused on objectives, shared by the city
as a whole.”
The Elite Group looked to its local community,
particularly the unemployed when it wanted
to recruit staff for its new operation. Working
closely with the West Leeds Family Learning
and their local job centre, 106 people were
recruited through the programme, 46% of whom
had been previously unemployed for over 12
months.
Pam Lee, BITC Yorkshire and Humber regional
director said: “The winners of the Yorkshire
and Humber Awards for Excellence 2003 including
Leeds Cares and The Elite Group were recently
announced, and we are thrilled that their
outstanding achievements have also been recognised
at a national level.”
The Elite Group won the award from a category
of nine other finalists, some of which were
multi-national companies.
On receiving the award Stewart Firth, Elite
Group Director, commented: “We are delighted
and honoured to receive this prestigious award
which recognises the combined efforts of West
Leeds Family Learning Centre and The Elite
Group. This award compliments The Elite Group's
tradition of providing a quality service to
our customers through investment in the local
community”.
