Businesses tackling social problems in London are being called on to enter this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards - the capital’s top responsible business gongs.

The City of London Corporation, which runs the awards scheme, wants to hear from firms large and small which go above and beyond to make a difference to society.

The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards for responsible business, which open for applications today (February 5), celebrates companies large and small that are improving people’s lives, from increasing the diversity of their workforce to volunteering in the community to helping social enterprises to grow.

Over the last 30 years, responsible businesses which have applied to the Dragon Awards have helped over 10 million people, mobilising 200,000 business volunteers and giving nearly £250 million in donations and in-kind support to London’s communities.

This year, the City Corporation wants to hear from businesses that are changing the way they work – both internally and externally- to improve society.

The Awards have six categories open until April 16:

1. Heart of the City Award: celebrates businesses that have only recently begun to have a social impact in Greater London
2. Accelerator Award: celebrates firms that are multiplying their impact in Greater London by helping other organisations to succeed
3. Inclusive Employment Award: celebrates companies removing barriers to employment and progression for disadvantaged, underrepresented or minority groups
4. Innovation Award: celebrates businesses developing new ways to benefit London’s communities
5. Regional Impact Award: celebrates businesses with a London HQ that are strengthening regional communities beyond the capital
6. Community Partners Award: celebrates community organisations that are working with firms to achieve excellence in social impact.

This year the City Corporation is also launching the Lord Mayor’s Award – Business of Trust Champion, focussed on trust in business, the Lord Mayor’s theme for the year. This award, open to all businesses across the UK, celebrates businesses which are championing responsible business practices to create a lasting legacy of better business trusted by society. The award is open for applications until July 30^th.

All applicants will be invited to The Mansion House in September where the winners will receive a prestigious ‘Dragon’ from the City’s Lord Mayor, Charles Bowman.

The Lord Mayor said:

“These awards celebrate the excellent work of business supporting communities across London and tackling social issues. We will recognise firms that are improving society through their responsible business programmes and leading the way for others.

“London’s businesses should be more vocal about the positive work they do for society – and these awards are a fantastic opportunity to do just that.

“I am particularly pleased, this year, to launch a new award: the Lord Mayor’s Award – Business of Trust Champion.”

Since it was founded in 1987, the Awards have attracted high quality applications from a variety of organisations across London and the UK.

Previous winners reported winning new contracts, improved internal relationships, stronger reputations and increased PR as a result of taking part in the scheme.

The Awards form one part of the City of London Corporation’s commitment to working in partnership with businesses, charities and neighbouring boroughs to create a more responsible, inclusive and competitive London.

As part of this drive, the City Corporation funds Heart of the City, a charity supporting London’s companies to run their own responsible business programmes.

It also sponsors the City of London Business Traineeship Programme, which places state school pupils into paid internships at top City firms, giving young people the skills needed for a successful career in the Square Mile.

The City Corporation boosts young people’s employability through partnerships with City firms through apprenticeships, mentoring and paid work placements schemes.

Last year, in partnership with the Social Mobility Commission and the Social Mobility Foundation, it launched the world’s first Social Mobility Employer Index. It ranks the top 50 UK employers who have taken the most action to improve social mobility in the workplace, incentivising firms to improve access to top quality jobs for candidates from all backgrounds. The City Corporation itself has pledged to employ 100 apprentices by the end of 2017/18.

Its charitable arm, City Bridge Trust, gives £20m every year to charitable and community organisations across London.

It works closely with the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which runs City Giving Day, a celebration of the City of London’s philanthropic and responsible business activities.

ENDS

Kristina Drake| Media Officer, Public Services

City of London Corporation

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/newsroom

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

M: 07710860884

D: 020 7332 1125