SHORLTIST FOR THE UK’S LONGEST-RUNNING CORPORATE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARDS ANNOUNCED

19 COMPANIES RANGING FROM SMES TO BIG CITY FIRMS RECOGNISED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES IN 28^TH ANNUAL AWARDS

Today, the City of London Corporation announced the 19 companies shortlisted for the 28th annual Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards; the UK’s oldest and most distinguished Corporate Community Engagement Awards. This year’s awards feature the newly renamed ‘Education and Lifelong Learning’ and ‘Future proofing Charities’ categories.

The businesses on this year’s shortlist come from varied backgrounds, with everyone from big City firms like IBM to not-for-profit social enterprise Enabling Enterprise having their contributions to communities recognised. Previous winners and finalists have seen increasing benefits through their involvement with the Dragon Awards, citing a boost in employee engagement and new business.

Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alan Yarrow said: ‘The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards recognises the Corporate Community Engagement programmes of all businesses in Greater London, from multinationals to the smallest social enterprise. The work delivered by these firms and their charity partners is hugely valuable in addressing societal need and supporting the capital’s most vulnerable people. This year is the 28^th anniversary of the Awards, and I look forward to welcoming some of London’s most community-minded firms to Mansion House for the celebration dinner on the 30^th September.’

Congratulations to all of our finalists. The winners will be announced at the celebration dinner on Wednesday 30 September. 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.

ENDS

THE 2015 CATEGORIES AND SHORTLIST

Education and Lifelong Learning Award

For companies working with educational community organisations or schools to raise aspirations, promote continuous learning and improve educational attainment amongst adults and young people.

• Pearson, for Read for My School
• IBM, for IBM Summer School for Computing Subject Leaders

Enterprise and Employment Award

For companies that are contributing to the economic regeneration of an area through employability initiatives or in support of small businesses.

• Barclays, for 5MYF: Capital Talent
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, for Ready for Work
• Telereal Trillium, for Sustainable procurement: An essential business practice

Future Proofing Charities Award

The Future Proofing Charities Award is for businesses that are working with community organisations to help them be more sustainable and therefore better prepared for the future. The category, renamed for this year’s awards, recognises companies that are working with a community organisation to improve the sustainability of its balance sheet in the long term, giving enhanced financial stability; or helping a community organisation to continue to identify priorities based on client needs. This could be through pro bono or peer to peer mentoring schemes, training staff, improving back office functions, or helping a community organisation develop commercial services for income generation.

• Aimia, for Future Proofing Charities Award
• Dentons, for Fair Finance
• Macquarie Group, for BIG Alliance - Businesses for Islington Giving
• Morgan Stanley, for Magic Breakfast

Heart of the City Award for Best New Community Programme

Recognising businesses that have set up a strategic Corporate Community Involvement programme for the first time in the last three years (i.e. since March 2012).

• Alium Partners, for Alium Partners CSR programme
• Beazley Group, for Make a difference

Lord Mayor's Award for Longstanding Achievement

For businesses that have shown a long-term (at least 5 years), sustainable commitment to a wide-ranging programme of community engagement in London, characterised by outstanding levels of staff involvement and strong evidence of leadership from the top.

• British Land, for British Land and our Local Communities in London
• Barclays PLC, for 5 Million Young Futures: Ian Mikardo
• Dentons, for Poplaw Legal Clinic and City Gateway

Community Partners Award

For community organisations (charities, schools, community groups, social enterprises) in London that play a critical role in the delivery of corporate community engagement programmes.

• The Brokerage Citylink, for their work with State Street
• London Wildlife Trust, for their work with Mace Foundation
• Inspire!, for their work with Linklaters LLP
• Enabling Enterprise, for their work with UBS
• Providence Row, for their work with BBMV Joint Venture

Notes to Editors:

0207 494 4448; cityoflondoncorporation@raincommunications.co.uk

The City of London Corporation

As the body providing local government services to the “Square Mile” business district around St Paul’s, the City of London Corporation’s primary role is to support and enhance the business City – a world-leading international financial and related business hub. The City of London Corporation is also committed to working with its neighbours to support the regeneration of local communities. The “Square Mile” shares its borders with some of the country’s most deprived boroughs where unemployment remains high.

About the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards

The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards were established by the then Lord Mayor Sir David Rowe-Ham in 1987 and are named after the guardians of the City of London, seen at the entrances to the Square Mile financial district. The Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards recognise excellence in Corporate Community Involvement that benefits Greater London. Eligible activities include charity partnerships, employee volunteering, employability initiatives and local purchasing.