South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Two major awards for best practice is Sustainable Development - balancing growth with enhancing the environment and meeting the community's social needs - have been won by an Aylesbury based manufacturing company.

In its annual Sustainable Business Awards, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has given recognition to the "strong social and environmental commitment" shown by Barduct Ltd, to which it has awarded its Corporate Social Responsibility Award as well as the trophy for best Small or Medium Sized Business.

Barduct, which is in the electrical industry, was praised for combining "empowered people and environmental protection in ensuring continued development and long term sustainability." The SEEDA judging panel singled out Barduct's support for local charities in Buckinghamshire and its relationship with the local community.

At the Sustainable Business Awards ceremony at Sandown Park, the Minister for e-Commerce and Competitiveness, Stephen Timms MP, presented the two awards to Barduct in front of an audience of more than 300 business and community leaders from across the South East of England.

The Minister said: "It's great to see businesses exploring how economic, environmental and social goals can support each other. Effective corporate engagement with the big social and environmental challenges we face is key to achieving the Government's aims on those fronts, and is also good for UK competitiveness. I am happy to be involved in recognising the achievements of the South East companies receiving awards today."

SEEDA Board Member with responsibility for Sustainable Development, Kit Oliver OBE DL, said: "All of the companies honoured by these awards are to be congratulated. It is clear that they recognise the value of the Sustainable Development Agenda - the integration of the economic environment, the physical environment and the social environment. I am delighted that they demonstrate a marked growth in the application of best principles, and it is clear that legislation such as the climate change levy is beginning to have an effect."

She added: "The performance of these companies ties in well with the thrust of the 2002 review of the Regional Economic Strategy which has sustainable development at its core."

SEEDA also announced its Sustainable Business Awards Competition for 2003 and encouraged guests to look to their own activities as suitable entries. For details about how to enter SEEDA's 2003 Sustainable Business Awards, please contact Tanya Mennie on +44(0)1483 484278, email: tanyamennie@seeda.co.uk.