NORTH East companies Northumbrian Water and Quorum Business Park picked up two of 14 prizes at Business in the Community's annual responsible business awards.

Durham-based Northumbrian Water won the Workwell Award for its programme which addressed an estimated loss of £1m per annum from sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders and stress/mental health issues. The BITC’s 2012 Awards for Excellence recognised its success in cutting overall sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders by 40% and stress-related absence by 13%.

Irwin Lee, UK & Ireland MD at Procter & Gamble UK and chair of the Workwell Leadership team said: “Their programme goes beyond employees and has a positive impact on families and the community. It is an excellent example of what our Workwell movement is seeking to achieve.”

Quorum Business Park has helped Tesco Bank to recruit 1,000 staff by offering a personalised travel planning service. In the park, cycling doubled over a year, car use decreased and public transport use doubled in three years to 38%. Bridget Jackson, corporate sustainability director, PwC and chair of the judging panel said: “Quorum is a fantastic example of a bold, proactive approach to sustainable travel, working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to deliver significant and tangible behaviour change in a short period of time.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, BITC is the leading responsible business charity and the awards celebrate companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility. BTIC chief executive Stephen Howard said: “Business can be a force for good and the winners of our awards demonstrate that clearly.

“Through our awards, we are celebrating ideas that transform business models and practices, but also transform lives and provide opportunities in some of our most deprived communities.”