Launching the 2018 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland are (front row from left): Ciaran McConnell, JP Corry; Kieran Harding, Business in the Community; Sonia Armstrong, Ulster Business; (back row from left) Rosemary Lundy, Arthur Cox; Chris James, Fujitsu; Michelle Hatfield, George Best Belfast City Airport; Ciaran McCallion; Allen & Overy; Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour; Adrian Doran, Barclays; Judith Marrs, Survitec.

Business in the Community is calling on responsible organisations in South Belfast to enter the 2018 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland. Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk/awards. Entries will close on Friday 23 February 2018 and the winners will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at Belfast Waterfront Hall on Thursday 24 May 2018.

The annual awards, which are run by Business in the Community, seek to recognise and celebrate firms in Northern Ireland that are making a difference by taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues. They are open to firms here of all sizes and from all sectors. There are ten categories up for grabs in 2018:

• NI Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport

• Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Barclays

• Education Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy

• Employability Champion Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour

• Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox

• Digital Champion Award, sponsored by Fujitsu

• One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Survitec

• Building Stronger Communities Award

• Wellbeing at Work Award

• Marketplace Leadership Award

To help companies with top tips on how to enter, and give them the opportunity to meet previous winners, a Showcase & Share Breakfast will be held on Tuesday 9 January at the eSpark Hub in Lombard Street, Belfast.

These Awards offer the opportunity for Northern Ireland organisations to showcase the practical action they’ve taken to address key social and environmental issues. Previous winners of these Awards have shown remarkable innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility. Not only did they demonstrate the positive impact they have had on society but also the business benefits.

To find out more, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards or call (028) 9046 0606.