The City of London Corporation has opened entries for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards today. [1^st March 2016]

The City Corporation aims to encourage, support and celebrate responsible business to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of Londoners

And the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards recognise businesses of all sizes and sectors which go above and beyond their normal work to help regenerate local communities in London.

Business support for schools, charities and community organisations is rewarding in itself – and the businesses involved in the Awards can also enjoy long-term business benefits.

Last year’s entrants contributed nearly 93,000 hours of business community work in the capital.

And they reported winning new contracts, improved internal relationships, stronger client reputations, and profile-raising PR as a result of taking part in the awards.

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, Jeffrey Mountevans.

The Lord Mayor said:

“I am delighted to open applications for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards.

“I am calling on London’s business of all sizes to enter. Responsible 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 community - and these awards provide an excellent opportunity to promote their good work.”

If you have been inspired by the work of your colleagues, suppliers, clients, investors or any organisation big or small that is doing great things in London’s communities, make sure you nominate them for a Lord Mayor’s Dragon Award.

Since they were founded in 1987, the Awards have attracted high quality applications from a variety of companies and public bodies throughout Greater London.

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

As part of this commitment, the City Corporation also delivers City Action (a flagship employee volunteering matchmaking service for City-based businesses) and, along with the City Bridge Trust (the City of London Corporation’s Charity), funds Heart of the City (a charity offering support for companies in Greater London that are interested in Corporate Social Responsibility).