This award highlights the role of the private or PLC companies, often in partnership with the public and third sectors, in addressing social challenges and improving the communities in which they operate.
The Lloyds Bank Positive Social Impact Award recognises those organisations that have achieved a meaningful and sustainable social impact through partnership, investment, pro-bono work, or through employee-led initiatives.
Gary Jackson, Group Director of Marketing Communications & Customer Success, said:
We are delighted at making the finals for such a prestigious award. It is a testament to our commitment to making a positive difference to our communities. Our work brings us into contact with some of the most vulnerable people in society, living in some of our most socially deprived communities. As we grow, so do the opportunities and our sense of responsibility to make a positive difference. That’s why we continue to value and invest in Social Value activity; ensuring that it runs like a thread through everything we do in every part of our business. If we didn’t care about the people and the communities we work with, we would not be able to do our jobs well, and our business wouldn’t survive. Putting Social Value at the heart of our business is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense.
This award shortlisting comes straight on the back of Mears winning a top space on the social mobility index.
Mears has been ranked 36 in the 2019 Social Mobility Employer Index for the commendable work it has taken to tackle this and enable those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to succeed.
Measures taken by the company to improve social mobility include:
- Working directly with schools on 11,300 social value projects
- 45 Management Apprentices
- 70 pre-employment students
- 607 apprentices, plus 48 completers
- Selecting an employee director to sit on our board
- Working to increase the number of women in the sector through our Tradeswomen into Maintenance project
- Our adult education programme enables our colleagues to upskill and also members of the local community who are long-term unemployed
The awards ceremony takes place on 12 November 2019 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London.
