Responsibility Comes Naturally to Local Company firmus energy
Business in the Community (BITC) recently announced Antrim company firmus energy as one of its short-listed finalists for ‘Responsible Company of the Year’. Pictured at the announcement are Kieran Harding, BITC, Maire Campbell, CCHBC, Mark Prentice and Sue Robinson, firmus energy, David Elliott, Ulster Business and Ray Quinn, ResourceTM.
Antrim-based energy provider, firmus energy, has been short-listed as ‘Responsible Company of the Year’ as part of Business in the Community’s NI National Recognition Awards 2009.
The Awards, which will be held on June 11th at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, acknowledge companies who are committed to responsible business practices. firmus, who supplies natural gas to homes and businesses in Antrim and across Northern Ireland, runs a number of company schemes which have positive impacts on the local community, environment and workplace.
firmus staff members are fully encouraged to participate in the firmus community scheme (FCS), which provides support and assistance to local communities. To date, firmus has donated almost £100,000 to the scheme and staff have contributed over 2000 hours to ensure its success. The FCS includes the very successful £3K giveaway initiative, support for vulnerable customers and several educational and environmental programmes. The £3K giveaway initiative has grown considerably in the past two years, with over 271 groups receiving funding in 2008, up from 155 groups in 2007.
Commenting on the announcement, firmus general manager, Mark Prentice said, “We are delighted to be short-listed in Business in the Community’s ‘Responsible Company of the Year’ category. We are committed to giving something back to the communities that we operate in, and to making a positive impact on the environment. This is very much in line with our company values as a provider of natural gas, the most environmentally friendly of all the fossil fuels.
“The success of these programmes is due to the commitment of our employees, whose enthusiasm and dedication means that the projects have been a resounding success. I look forward to seeing schemes like the £3K giveaway go from strength to strength, making a real difference to local communities.”
Business in the Community’s head of Marketing and Communications, Gillian McKee, said: “firmus is one of six outstanding companies short-listed for the NI ‘Responsible Company of the Year’ Award. The judges were impressed by how such a young company has clearly built in a commitment to responsible business practice in all aspects of its operations. CSR has been part of the ethos of firmus since it was started, which is heartening and sets a great example to other companies starting out.”
For further information please contact Dawn Hesketh/Michelle Rice at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or email d.hesketh@morrowcommunications.com / m.rice@morrowcommunications.com
