Corporate social responsibility is becoming an increasingly vital concept for companies to adopt. Read on to discover how our two Headline Sponsors, The Trade Centre Wales and Bidfood, embrace their corporate social responsibility.
Corporate social responsibility is crucial for any business. It’s a way for companies to hold themselves socially accountable, whether that’s through partnering with a charity or sending employees to help at a volunteer litter-pick.
Participating in community orientated and environmentally focused events demonstrates that the business is trying to be as responsible as possible. Not only are these events excellent for the company’s image, they will also reassure the community that the company is doing its best for people and for the planet, as well as focusing on profit.
The Trade Centre Wales, one of the Headline Sponsors for the inaugural National Children of Wales, is no stranger to corporate social responsibility. The Trade Centre Group is actively involved with community initiatives, as well as fundraising. The company works with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), helping to raise thousands of pounds towards providing vital support to children in desperate need of it. Trade Centre Group also frequently engages members of staff in volunteer roles for local charity drives. Every Trade Centre Group showroom has its own Charity Committee, charged with organising or sourcing charitable events for the company to get involved in.
The company also engages with the community by supporting various local grassroots sports teams and clubs.
Sponsoring the National Children of Wales Awards is another element of its corporate social responsibility drive. Explaining the reasons behind it, Mark Bailey, Chairman, Trade Centre Group, said:
“When we heard about the amazing work made possible because of the National Children of Wales Awards, we wanted to get involved and do our bit to help make a difference.
“The causes that will benefit from these awards are very close to our hearts, and everyone here is honoured to help raise awareness of the National Children of Wales Awards and the causes it supports.”
The second Headline Sponsor for the National Children of Wales Awards, Bidfood, also takes corporate social responsibility seriously.
When Bidfood heard about the National Children of Wales Awards, they saw a great opportunity to give something back to the community. They also recognised that this is the first National Children of Wales Awards, and saw an opportunity to support a fantastic cause for years to come.
Nick Sullivan, Head of Freetrade Sales, said:
“When Blanche Sainsbury, founder of the National Children of Wales Awards, mentioned the Awards to us, we jumped at the opportunity. As a company, we are passionate about giving back to the community, and this is a fantastic way to do so.
“We are so excited about being a Headline Sponsor for the Awards, and we hope that we can continue to support the event over the upcoming years.”
Bidfood’s company motto is “Care, Share, and Dare”. Simply put, they encourage employees to care about what they do, work together to make great things happen, and take brave steps to deliver extraordinary results. When presented with the opportunity to be a Headline Sponsor of the National Children of Wales Awards, Bidfood saw their “Care, Share, and Dare” policy come to life. Their company values, which are nurtured under this policy, go hand in hand with the NCWAs, and they couldn’t wait to get involved.
They’re also the driving force behind plate2planet, a leading online initiative dedicated to creating positive change for sustainability in foodservice.
Plate2planet acts as a central hub, bringing organisations together to share best practice and to help take the industry’s sustainability agenda forward.
Bidfood also signed up to the WRAP Courtauld Commitment 2025, which aims to reduce the resources needed to provide food and drink in the UK by 20% in 10 years, and they are part of the Planet Mark sustainability certification programme, which requires evidence of measurable reductions in our carbon footprint.
Bidfood supports more than 260 local and national charities, as well as local community projects, through fundraising and volunteering opportunities, particularly in relation to food poverty and holiday hunger schemes.
The National Children of Wales Awards are so pleased to have such charitable, socially aware companies as Headline Sponsors. We are thrilled that the Trade Centre Wales and Bidfood want to be involved with the Awards, and we are so excited to see what these partnerships will bring.