[T]he Lakes Free Range Egg Company (The Lakes) from Penrith in Cumbria is celebrating after being shortlisted for the UK’s longest running and most prestigious awards programme, championing responsible business in the UK and abroad. The Lakes is a keen advocate of The Business in the Community (BITC) Responsible Business Awards, and has won national recognition in the past for their strong sustainable supply chain.
Now in their 20th year, the BITC Awards champion the most inspiring businesses who are making a difference by taking action to build more inclusive workplaces, stronger communities and tackle our biggest environmental challenges.
Today’s announcement coincides with Responsible Business Week (24-28 April), an annual initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the positive contribution of businesses to society.
The Lakes Free Range Egg Company has been shortlisted for the Environmental Leadership Award in recognition that environmental best practice is core to their business and part of a holistic approach that they share with wider industry.
Commenting David Brass, Chief Executive Officer at The Lakes Free Range Egg Company said: “As a family led business, to be shortlisted for Environmental Leadership alongside Blue Chip organisations like British Sugar, Siemens, The National Grid, Anglian Water Services and Wm Morrison’s is a huge achievement in itself.
“Our story began twenty years ago when, from day one, we planted trees to improve our hen ranges. We’ve always believed that excellence in animal welfare and environmental best practice go hand in hand, it’s something our free range hens demonstrate every day.
“Since then we have worked in partnership with customers like McDonald’s to scientifically prove planting trees is beneficial to hen welfare and we’ve influenced others to follow the same best practice. As well as enhancing our environment, our sustainability model also includes investment in technologies and processes to cut our carbon footprint. We’re proud to lead by example on the three E’s (ethical, environmental and economic), promoting a holistic approach to sustainability that has helped cut our carbon footprint to zero. It’s also something we’re keen to promote to the public on the packaging of our two brands – ‘The Lakes’ and ‘Laid With Love’.”
Chief Executive of Business in the Community, Amanda Mackenzie, said: “We want all businesses to be a force for good in the community, and being shortlisted means that The Lakes Free Range Egg Company can inspire many more companies to be part of the responsible business movement, so that together we can work for a fairer society and a more sustainable future.”
The winners of all ten categories, including the Responsible Business of the Year will be announced at the Responsible Business Gala Dinner at the Royal Albert Hall on 4 July, in front of 1,200 business leaders. The headline sponsors of the 2017 Responsible Business Awards are Experian, Unilever, UPS, Aviva, Barclays, Fujistu, UBS, Unipart Group.
To find out more about Responsible Business Week 2017 visit www.bitc.org.uk/rbweek or search for the hashtag #RBweek. For more information on how The Lakes Free Range Egg Company delivers on sustainable and environmental provenance, visit www.lakesfreerange.co.uk.
