Celebrating sustainable success with Cumbrian businesses

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) has hosted its 2012 CBEN Excellence Awards -  one of the key events in the year for the Cumbria Business Environment Network (or CBEN). 

“This was the 12th year of the Excellence Awards,” says Lynne Fox, Chief Executive of CREA, “and we had a really impressive standard of nominations to consider.  Businesses who submitted entries came from right across Cumbria and represented almost every industry sector, from tourism and retail to construction and engineering.  CREA environmental consultants have worked with over 600 companies in the past year – an amazing figure - advising on resource efficiency, corporate social responsibility and supporting the creation of effective environmental management systems (EMS) and policies.  It was great to celebrate some of those companies’ achievements and successes at the Awards ceremony.”

Three Excellence Awards were presented from a shortlist of six and the three winning companies were from a cross-section of Cumbrian business.

Forge Europa, based in Ulverston, won the first Excellence Award.  Their achievements in terms of product development for low energy LED lighting and the staff’s approach to significant business travel savings were mentioned in particular.  Other aspects of their entry included big reductions in waste to landfill and the installation of an intelligent lighting system at the company’s Ulverston premises.

Newlands Adventure Centre near Keswick was announced as the second winner.  Over 50 improvements in sustainable practice had been included in their entry and particular mention was made of their biodiversity policy, involvement in Fix the Fells and similar projects and the way that Newlands is working with its guests to improve their environmental  awareness too.

The last of the three Excellence Awards was presented to Roland Hill, a construction company based near Aspatria in the north of Cumbria.  The company was acknowledged as playing a key role in the development of renewable energy generation in the county through its eco-building work and energy expertise but its vehicle-buying policy and reductions in landfill wastes were also given special mention.

Rik Beament from Newlands Activity Centre summed up their approach and the benefits of involvement in the Cumbria Business Environment Network: “We’ve been convinced that lots of small changes will lead to big improvements and that’s how it is working for us,” he said. “Involving staff and guests and recognising the impact of our activities on the environment have been major milestones in developing our work.  It has been great to work with CBEN consultants and also to find some brilliant suppliers among other CBEN members.”

The CBEN Excellence Awards dinner was hosted by Tim Backshall at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal and was attended by over 100 people representing about 40 organisations and businesses.  Speakers on the night included Peter Samsom of the North Pennines AONB Partnership and Debbie Beament of Newlands Adventure Centre near Keswick.

Further details of this year’s Awards, criteria, case studies and CBEN activities and business consultancy services are available online at www.cumbriaben.com or from Andrew Reed on 01768 891555. 

Picture shows winners of the three CBEN Excellence Awards with CREA Chief Executive, Lynne Fox (centre).  L to R Group from Forge Europa, Debbie and Rik Beament from Newlands Activity Centre and group from Roland Hill. Tim Backshall hosted the evening and Jeremy Westgarth of the Environment Agency presented the Awards.