Blue Badge Company, the innovative Bristol firm that designs and makes a range of stylish living aids, is in the running for one the UK’s most prestigious and respected awards championing responsible business.
The firm has been shortlisted for the Employment for Excluded Groups category in the regional Responsible Business of the Year Awards, which celebrate inspiring examples of businesses that are making a significant difference by taking action to improve their local communities, create more inclusive workplaces and tackle environmental challenges. 
The awards, now in their 19th year, are staged by the charity Business in the Community (BITC) – the Prince of Wales’ responsible business network.
Shortlisted companies from the region will be recognised at the South West Responsible Business Gala Dinner on the 14 June. The event, which takes place at St George’s in Bristol, is sponsored by accountants PwC and outsourcing group Mitie, which takes place on June 14 at St George’s in Bristol.
The Blue Badge Company was set up nearly five years ago to create colourful display wallets that would inject some fun style into the previously dull and clinical disability market.
It has grown from one to 21 staff and produces more than 1,500 Blue Badge wallets a week, supplying 2,500 Boots stores nationwide, the Post Office, Halfords and Argos online.
All its products are made at the company’s Bristol workshop, where 40% of the staff are either disabled o
r a primary care giver.
It is being recognised in the Responsible Business Awards for introducing an Inclusive Employment Initiative (IEI) dedicated to directly employing disabled people and those with limited work options, such as primary caregivers or people with mental health issues.
The IEI has enabled the company to recruit and train people with learning and physical disabilities, which breaks the cycle of unemployment and gives employees the satisfaction of contributing to a productive team.
Founder and managing director Ellen Green, pictured, said: “I really believe that a company is only as strong as the team behind it. The one thing that has driven me the most is the idea that business has a responsibility to be good for society and I’ve discovered that a rewarding, sustainable job can change someone’s life. I’ve seen it first hand and it’s the part of my company that I am most proud of.”
The awards shortlist has been announced during Responsible Business Week, an annual campaign to increase awareness of and showcase the positive contribution made by businesses up and down the country to society.
BITC area director west Raksha Pattni, pictured left, said: “I’d like to congratulate the shortlisted companies in the South West who clearly demonstrate that business has a greater purpose then simply generating profit and are a great example to others. We look forward to celebrating their success and the very best of business as a powerful force for good in the region at our South West Responsible Business Gala Dinner.”
Companies chosen as finalists will be invited to BITC’s Annual Responsible Business Gala at the O2 in London on July 11 hosted by Fujitsu (2015 Responsible Business of the Year).
BITC received 297 entries for this year’s Responsible Business Awards, shortlisted 103 and re-accredited a further 82 entries for demonstrating continual impact in their responsible business programme.
The headline sponsors of the 2016 Responsible Business Awards are Asda, Bupa, Experian, Fujitsu, Hogan Lovells, M&S, Samworth Brothers, Unilever, Unipart Group and UPS.
