Being a winner at the 2016 National CSR Awards reinforces the belief that the business is on the right track, maintains David Fawcett, customer services manager, Hampshire Highways, Amey plc.
It was David’s focus on connecting the business to the community which proved key to his success in winning the Outstanding Individual Corporate Leadership award for the infrastructure business Amey. In driving Amey’s apprenticeship programme to target areas of high unemployment across Hampshire, David is demonstrating that business can be a force for good and contribute positively to solving the UK’s wider social problems.
“It is fantastic to be acknowledged in this way, especially as the awards are so well known in the corporate social responsibility sector,” says David. “However the greatest reward is the knowledge that we have assisted many individuals and organisations over the last few years, especially those individuals from hard-to-reach groups who are now in employment because of Amey’s support.”
He is proud of the team’s achievements. “Our work with young ex-offenders is particularly worthwhile with a number of young people making the move from long-term unemployment via placements to full-time employment with Amey. Our work to assist children in care /looked after children with placements has also been very important and supports the maxim that the key is to make a difference on an individual basis. This is what ultimately leads to better communities. I am also proud of our ground-breaking work with HMP Winchester Prison and the opportunities we have provided to serving prisoners.”
David found that the award win fired up the business. “Amey across the UK have been galvanised by the award success with a significant increase in activity and participation in CSR activities taking place across the UK,” he says. “Many Hampshire staff now view CSR as a core part of our work and we are seeing more employees working elsewhere in the country becoming increasingly involved in community projects.”
The award has also led to additional collaborations. “It is noticeable in Hampshire that news of our success has seen a distinct increase in our supply chain and subcontractors becoming involved in our CSR activities,” comments David. “In particular we have seen more partnership working on our community days such as recent support for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Motiv8 and Help for Heroes.”
Overall, the 250 employees in Hampshire have supported 26 charities and social enterprises through 400 volunteering days and varied fundraising events (including two bike rides, raising over £5,500 for Naomi House Children’s Hospice and Rainbow Centre.
“It is the combined efforts of everyone that allow us to make real difference to the community,” points out David. “The fact that we won this award is acknowledgement that we have been on the right path with this work. It has inspired us to continue and increase our activities in Hampshire as well as inspiring other parts of Amey to begin working on similar activities.”
