Northumbrian Water has maintained its title as one of the world’s most ethical companies, taking the crown for the ninth year in a row.
It is the only water firm to be awarded the title, and one of only four UK businesses, to be named on this year’s World’s Most Ethical Company list.
Compiled by the influential Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in ethical business practices, the list recognises organisations which foster a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company.
From around the world, only 130 companies across 51 industries in 21 countries made the ‘most ethical’ list,
During the past year, 42% of Northumbrian Water’s employees used work time to support 543 organisations, including events like the Laffs4Kids comedy shows, which collected more than 14,000 gifts for North East children, and installing Christmas lights for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough.
The company, which is based at Pity Me in County Durham, was also recognised by the Environment Agency for its environmental performance, the only water firm to receive the public body’s four star top rating.
The company - which provides water and waste services to 2.7m customers across the North East, and water services to a further 1.8m in Essex and Suffolk - also took the lead in its sector’s commitment to preventing the equivalent of four billion plastic bottles ending up as waste by 2030.
The challenges of a changing climate are also part of Northumbrian Water’s plans and the company is working towards the goal of being operationally carbon neutral by 2027. It is also striving to eliminate water poverty within its operating areas by 2030.
Northumbrian Water’s chief executive Heidi Mottram said: “We are incredibly proud to once again receive this global recognition as one of the most ethical companies in the world.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to receive this honour for a ninth time, and it is testament not only to the hard efforts of the teams across our business, but to the passion they share for doing their jobs in an ethical way.
“Our people put this passion into their work every day, caring for our customers, for the environment, our communities and our people, delivering services that people simply couldn’t imagine life without.”
Ethisphere’s chief executive Timothy Erblich added: “This is a moment to acknowledge the leaders working to advance corporate cultures defined by integrity and affirm those companies contributing to broader societal imperatives and the greater good.”
