16 April 2013, Whitley ‑ Jaguar Land Rover has today been recognised with the highest ranking in Business in the Community's (BITC) annual benchmark of responsible business management, the Corporate Responsibility Index (CR Index).
The CR Index is the UK's leading and most in‑depth voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. It helps companies accurately measure and manage all aspects of their social and environmental performance, shape how they integrate and improve corporate responsibility throughout their business operations and benchmark themselves against competitors.
Jaguar Land Rover has achieved a Platinum Big Tick, a new banding in the Index for 2013 designed to challenge leading companies on topics such as their long‑term planning and the unique contribution their business can make to create transformational change and a sustainable economy.
This is the fifth consecutive year Jaguar Land Rover has achieved an improved rating since it first participated in the CR Index in 2009. The announcement was made during BITC's Responsible Business Week, a UK‑wide initiative introduced to raise public awareness of the powerful, positive role of business in society.
As a result of its high score in the Platinum Big Tick Band, Jaguar Land Rover is now one of five companies to be shortlisted in the Responsible Business of the Year category in Business in the Community's prestigious Responsible Business Awards. Winners will be announced at the awards gala dinner event on 2 July 2013 in London.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, BITC said:"The CR Index tells us that, despite the complexities of this agenda and the tough economic challenges they're facing, our leading companies are continuing to invest in responsible business and truly integrate it within their operations. Congratulations to Jaguar Land Rover for achieving Platinum Big Tick which signifies a key step on their sustainability journey and their willingness to rise to the challenge as part of the responsible business movement. We look forward on working with, supporting and challenging Jaguar Land Rover to build on this achievement to drive the transformational change needed to deliver a sustainable economy."
Commenting on the award, Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover said: "Corporate Social Responsibility is a core value for Jaguar Land Rover and covers every aspect of our business from the environmental impact of our products and operations to engagement of our employees, community groups and nationwide education programmes. The CR Index is a well‑respected business benchmark and I'm delighted that Jaguar Land Rover has achieved a Platinum Big Tick. This award recognises the efforts of all Jaguar Land Rover employees who drive continuous improvements in our environmental performance and community engagement as part of their daily business."
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
The Platinum Big Tick complements Jaguar Land Rover's existing community and environmental achievements. JaguarLandRover became the first car manufacturer in the UK to achieve the highly regarded Community Mark. Awarded by Business in the Community, the Community Mark is widely recognised as the national standard of excellence for community investment and was given in recognition of Jaguar Land Rover's considerable investment in community programmes, including its Education Business Partnership Centres and national educational initiatives.
Jaguar Land Rover's Environmental Innovation programme was awarded a Big Tick for Environmental Leadership in 2011. The award recognised Jaguar Land Rover's commitment to sustainable products and manufacturing processes, CO2 reductions and improved fuel efficiency through its comprehensive employee engagement initiative.
For further information please contact
Kate Birkenhead, Jaguar Land Rover CSR Communications
Officer
E: kbirkenh@jaguarlandrover.com M:
07780 494 352