Press office

The CR Index, the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility, helps companies to integrate and improve corporate responsibility throughout their business operations, by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.

In order to achieve the Gold performance band Eversheds has demonstrated openness and transparency through effective public reporting of its material environmental and social issues, CR programmes and performance. The firm has also expanded and adapted its risk management processes by incorporating relevant aspects of corporate responsibility risk and opportunity. Eversheds also scored highly in the Equality and Diversity in the Workplace, Community Management and Environment Management categories.

In a further commendation, Eversheds has been awarded two Big Ticks in BITC’s National Awards for Excellence 2011. The commendations were received in the ‘Ways2Work’ category for the firm’s Driving Down Carbon programme, and in the Building Stronger Communities category for the Manchester office’s partnership with Victoria House, providing temporary accommodation for homeless adults. The Big Tick award is the first level of award available to entrants of the national Awards for Excellence, which recognise inspirational programmes that are making a positive impact on the community, the environment or wider society.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:

“I congratulate Eversheds on achieving Gold in the 2011 BITC Corporate Responsibility Index. It is a challenging time, but the results of this year’s Index demonstrate that companies are still focused on transforming their businesses in order to have a positive impact on society. All the companies who participated this year are at different stages in their responsible business journey, but they are all taking these issues seriously and are prepared to lead by example.”

Alan Meredith, corporate responsibility partner at Eversheds, said:

“Not only has our focus on corporate responsibility made a positive impact in the communities that we operate in as a business, but it has also improved how we work together. This recognition from Business in the Community is a great honour and testament to our commitment to the continuous improvement of our CR processes and programmes.”

ENDS