Responsible firms will have the edge, says business chief

Karen Morris, Community Philanthropy Director at the Community Foundation for Lancashire, said businesses throughout the country were looking to buy from and partner with other firms with a strong social conscience.

She believes strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) is something which many people look for when taking key decisions.

The Community Foundation for Lancashire works with donors who are individuals, companies, families, trusts and foundations to distribute funds for maximum impact within the donor’s chosen communities.

In partnership with Investec, it is sponsoring the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility category at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs.

Ms Morris said: “Businesses want to do business with people who they like and want to be associated with and having a reputation for good corporate social responsibility will do that.

“We work with entrepreneurs and business leaders among others which want to put something back in to their communities, and they recognise the value of this both in their own business and those they do business with.

“Increasingly, strong corporate social responsibility is a differentiator between businesses .

“I am glad to say there are many firms in Lancashire which do it extremely well.”

Next week, Ms Morris will lead the judging panel which will meet with businesses which have made it through to the first round of judging for this year’s BIBAs, one of the leading business awards in Lancashire.