THE SECOND of four new sponsors for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Award has announced what it is looking for from entrants.

Hampshire-based The Business Collective is sponsoring the Corporate Social Responsibility Award which aims to recognise businesses that cut their impact on the environment.

Founder, Adrienne Marsden, said: “The Business Collective was formed with the aspiration of helping Hampshire based SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) make a difference within their local communities – to both charities and fellow businesses. We hope to become the kite mark of corporate social responsibility for small business and so we are delighted to be sponsoring an award that acknowledges and celebrates those who want to do good as well as do business.”

Judges will look for a business that is involved in the community bringing benefits to local people, workplace standards and practices that provide a fair and safe working environment.

Taking part for the fifth year running, this year sees the Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) sponsor the Commitment to the City Award.

This award is open to any BID business that can best demonstrate and has delivered significant tangible benefits to the city by way of improving the vitality, appeal and environment.

Catherine Turness, BID manager, said: “Winchester BID is excited to be able to sponsor this award for the business that makes the greatest contribution to the city. By supporting a vibrant local economy, many businesses with both a national and local presence are benefiting from enhanced reputations and the development of stronger local networks. This award is to recognise the best of those businesses.”

Judges will look for a visible and tangible commitment towards the local economy, including sourcing of local contracts where possible, and evidence of a collaborative working approach to improve the quality of a given area. They will also look for a clearly defined local project or initiative success, tangible benefits for the local community, e.g. job creation, and a proactive member of the business community supporting start-ups in the area.