Which business sectors are the awards open to?
My company has not achieved ISO 14001 environmental management standard – should we still enter?
I work for an SME with just a couple of employees – should we apply?
I am a sole trader – can I apply?
What is your definition of a SME?
What questions are contained within the online application form?
What is the cut of time on the day of the application deadline?
Do I need to supply an image with my application form?
I work for a PR/Communications company can I submit an application on behalf of my client?
How many applications can one company submit?
Can I submit a joint application with another company?
I am not sure what category to enter – what should I do?
Will I receive an acknowledgement that my application form has been received?
When will I first be notified that my application has been unsuccessful?
Can you provide some details about the ceremony?
Who should I contact to discuss sponsor opportunities?
Who should I contact to discuss PR and marketing opportunities?
Although the business does not have to have its headquarters outside of the UK, it does have to have a main office in the UK.
BCE is an award for ‘business’ which means a commercial enterprise as one set up to earn profit for its owners or shareholders.
Not-for-profit organisations are not eligible to enter (for example, executive agencies, local authorities, charitable trusts, trade unions, trade associations, public arts organisations and community-interest companies). Other award schemes are available to recognise the excellent work carried out by these types of organisation. BCE does not see them as any lesser, it is just that its founder, Sir Peter Parker, set up BCE to focus on the business sector.
If you are still unclear whether you are eligible to enter please contact BCE Awards before starting the application process.
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK.
Achieving ISO 14001 is a very commendable achievement but this is not a requirement for entering the BCE Awards. We would expect a large business to have an accredited environmental management system, but this would not be sufficient on its own to win an award. A BCE Award is less about the environmental management system itself and more about what is achieved through using it. Many SME BCE winners have demonstrated outstanding environmental leadership without having a formally accredited environmental management system.
Yes – previous SME winners have had only 2 or 3 employees/partners.
Yes. BCE very much welcomes applications from SMEs including sole traders. Some of our best winners have been SMEs.
We use the EC definition of a SME; click here.
Completing the application form is not a lengthy process. Click here to download the questions that you will find during completion of your online application.
The deadline is the 10 October 2011 at midnight.
The adage ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is very true; it helps the Panel of Assessors to fully appreciate your project. The image could be your product or process, illustrating your staff/community engagement, or a diagram of your environmental process.
Yes you can on the understanding that your client will receive all the recognition for the application. If your client’s application is successful in the final stages of the judging process then they will be visited by a judge.
One per company per year. We welcome previous applicants and winners.
Yes. For example Veolia Water UK plc and SQS Ltd received a major commendation in 2010 for ‘Supply-chain partnership changing industry standards and practices for sustainable construction waste recycling’.
Please choose the category, ‘Not sure at the moment’. The judges will be able to decide on your behalf while reviewing your application form.
Yes, you will receive an automated message via email to acknowledge receipt of your submitted application.
The first round of the rigorous judging assessment takes place between October and December. The Panel of Assessors then come together in December to quantity all the assessments. Applicants are then notified in December as to whether they have been successful in getting through to the Stage 2 site visit assessments.
The next Awards ceremony will be held in June 2012 (date to be confirmed). The venue will be The Lincoln Centre, London WC2A 3ED. As an applicant you will receive one free ticket. If your company is visited by a member of the Panel of Assessors you will receive two free tickets to the Awards ceremony. If you are nominated as a finalist you will receive five free tickets.
Finalists need to supply a video clip (no more than two minutes long) demonstrating the project and/or their company. Suggestions for the footage include highlighting the financial/business and environmental benefits of your project, demonstrating how the environmental philosophy is embedded into the business and why it would be important to gain a BCE Award. The video clip will be played on a screen during the reception and during the ceremony.
The video clip will be played on a screen during the reception and maybe played during the ceremony. The video needs to be supplied in the following format:
AVI Video between 702 pixels by 576 pixels and 1024 pixels wide by 769 pixels wide.
Please see a couple of links from last years winners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JttzZZMnvs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM6RkEKeHho
We intend to place your videos on You Tube after the ceremony.
If it is not possible to provide a video, we would be happy to discuss an alternative option to ensure your company is profiled in a visually attractive way during the the ceremony. Please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to discuss an alternative.
Please contact Jemma Howland directly: Jemma.Howland@ricardo-aea.com
Please contact Joseph Burgoyne directly: Jospeh.Burgoyne@ricardo-aea.com