Finalists for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards have been announced by the City of London Corporation.

The Awards recognise excellence in companies' community engagement that benefits London.

The 17 organisations on this year’s shortlist come from a variety of backgrounds, from City firms like Oliver Wyman to community organisations such as Fulham Good Neighbours.

In 2015 more than 18,000 business applicants volunteered to work in deprived communities across London.

Previous winners and finalists have benefited through their involvement with the Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards, citing a boost in employee engagement and new business.

The shortlist is:

Education and Lifelong Learning Award

Liberum Capital, for Liberum supporting disadvantaged children and families in London with School Home Support

UBS, for IntoUniversity Hackney

Enterprise and Employment Award

Transport for London, for Supplier Skills

Simmons and Simmons, for Young Talent Programme

Investec, for Beyond Business

Future Proofing Charities Award

Oliver Wyman, for Oliver Wyman London Social Impact Programme

Bank of America Merrill Lynch and UBS, for Young Academy

Heart of the City Award for Best New Community Programme

Penguin Random House UK, for Creative Responsibility

Assael Architecture, for Giving Something Back

Pool Re, for Age-UK Strategic Partnership

Lord Mayor's Award for Longstanding Achievement

Dentons, for Poplaw Legal Advice Clinic

IBM, for On Demand Community

London City Airport, for Take Off into Work

Community Partners Award

ReachOut, for their work with Macquarie Bank

Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership, for their work with Lloyd's of London

Fulham Good Neighbours, for their work with Assael Architecture

Think Forward, for their work with ICG

The short-listed programmes feature a variety of different initiatives which include innovative programmes aimed at developing the skills of disadvantaged Londoners, business planning and financial support for social enterprises, and advice for families on tackling educational disadvantage.

Jeffery Mountevans, Lord Mayor of the City of London said:

“I would like to congratulate all of our finalists for reaching this stage. Their community work has been recognised and these businesses know that by supporting their communities they are also making a priceless investment into their own workforce. London’s businesses should be more vocal about the positive things they are doing for the community - and these awards provide an excellent opportunity to promote their good work.”

IBM said:

“IBM is proud - and humbled - to have been shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards in the 'Longstanding Achievement' category for our employee volunteering programme, 'On Demand Community'. This is a tribute not to a specific employee or programme but to all of the 43% of our employees registered as volunteers and to the extraordinary impacts that they are making to the individuals, organisations and communities that they volunteer with. IBM views itself as a committed, engaged citizen - and values employees who make similar personal commitments.”

Krzysztof Mikata-Pralat, Director, Fulham Good Neighbours said:

“This is a major boost for our charity; it recognizes all our good work and the positive difference we have been making to the local community for the last 50 years.”

The winners will be announced at the celebration dinner on Tuesday 27 September 2016.

The Awards form just one part of the City Corporation’s commitment to engaging businesses in the regeneration of their local communities.

The Corporation also delivers City Action, an employee volunteering matchmaking service for City businesses, and Heart of the City, a charity offering support for companies in Greater London that are interested in Corporate Social Responsibility.

City Bridge Trust, the Corporation’s charitable funder, funds City Philanthropy, an initiative which encourages the giving of time, skills and funding in the City. It has just launched an Ambassadors Programme which will feature over 100 City leaders championing the tremendous importance, and value, of London’s leadership in philanthropy, for the benefit of London’s communities.

And City Giving Day, organised by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, recognises the charitable work of businesses and its employees, highlighting their community impact.

ENDS

To find out more about the Awards, follow us via @Dragon_Awards and #DragonAwards or email Dragon.Awards@cityoflondon.gov.uk to be added to the mailing list.