One in Eight CommunityMark companies are based in Brentford

Brentford Football Club has achieved Business in the Community's CommunityMark for 2010. Only five companies achieved this with the others being Anglo American, Heineken UK, Lend Lease and LSI Architects. 

The CommunityMark is the UK’s only national standard that publicly recognises excellence in community investment. It was developed by Business in the Community and first launched in 2008. It is endorsed by the government and HRH Prince of Wales. There are a total of 34 CommunityMark companies ranging from leading banks and retailers, to energy providers, professional services firms and small businesses. 

It should be noted that 4 of the 34 CommunityMark companies are from Brentford (BSkyB, Octink, Brentford FC and Glaxo Smith Kline so Brentford is clearly showing the way forward to the rest of the country when it comes to contributing to their community.

Collectively, the five new achievers of the CommunityMark have invested £52,968,718 in their communities over the past year through corporate giving and fundraising, pro bono and employee volunteering time, in-kind support and commercial initiatives. These companies are distinguished by their integrated and strategic approach to managing their investment in communities – through good times and bad. 

The five new CommunityMark companies are tackling a wide range of social issues ranging from, lack of access to sport for disabled people, lack of local enterprise, employability, education and community cohesion and the low employment aspirations of young people.

 “Investing in communities is integral to commercial success in any economic climate, bringing long-term sustainable benefits to both business and communities,” said Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community. We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of this group of five new CommunityMark companies and welcome them into the impressive group with 29 others, all of whom have demonstrated innovation and leadership in community investment.”

 “CommunityMark companies listen and respond to the needs of their community. By fostering strong, reciprocal partnerships CommunityMark companies gain valuable customer insight which they are increasingly using to develop innovative products and services which respond to community needs and lead to commercial gain” said Ben Kernighan, Deputy CEO, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and member of the CommunityMark Independent Approvals Panel 

"The CommunityMark is only achieved by those companies, large and small, that are able to demonstrate leadership and impact through their community investment programmes.  The rigour and depth of the assessment that underpins this deserved recognition has been welcomed by companies and their key stakeholders” said Phil Hodkinson, non-executive director of HM Revenue & Customs, BT plc, Travelex Holdings and Resolution Ltd and Chair of the CommunityMark Independent Approvals Panel. 

To achieve the CommunityMark, companies are assessed according to five principles of community investment through a rigorous, independent process, validated externally by AD Little and an independent panel made up of the third, public and private sectors. 

For further information on the CommunityMark and the five principles of community investment excellence, visit: www.bitc.org.uk/community/communitymark/ 

May 20, 2010