Other case studies

Sustainable Development

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2009 citation:

“Northumbrian Water Ltd receives The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its ongoing and impressive commitment to sustainability.

It has actively striven to promote best practice within its sector and is committed to ongoing review and continuous improvement.

With a commendable and ever improving environmental performance in place, it is, however, Northumbrian’s extremely impressive social and economic initiatives which elevate it to the status of sector leaders.

A diverse suite of programmes have been implemented, encompassing local procurement, strong apprenticeship programmes, individual up skilling and the continuous leverage of their spending power, employment and wider economic presence to ensure maximum benefit for local communities.

Northumbrian’s driving commitment to sustainability governance provides an example and benchmark across sectors, demonstrating that strong leadership and ambition can make a tangible difference to communities both local and more widely.”

Since the award, work has continued with our long term partnerships, for example, Castle View Enterprise Academy opened to pupils in September 2009 and phase two of Healthworks was opened in November 2009. Further developments in corporate responsibility agenda highlights can be viewed at www.nwl.co.uk/aboutCR.aspx. Other examples are outlined below:

Sustainable procurement

Our top suppliers participated in a project called ‘Making a Difference Together’. Each was subject to a half a day interview and an in depth corporate responsibility questionnaire. The analysis will be used to further drive sustainable procurement through our supply chain.

People Plan

During workshops, employees were given the opportunity to influence the development of the 2010-15 People Plan and to respond to the employee survey results. This involved all employees and allowed them to highlight both positive and negative aspects of working for NWL. This was the first time that employees on a large scale have participated in the strategic development of the business and this engagement, at every level in the business, resulted in valuable new ideas which have been incorporated into our forward planning.