A big “well done” to all those who submitted entries

SPONSORS for CREST21 Awards have collectively extended a big “well done” to all those who submitted entries in time for Surrey’s first sustainable business awards event.

Meanwhile, judges have begun the process of going through the entries to compile a short-list of nominations in the five categories – which will be announced in the News & Mail. The winners will be revealed at the online event being streamed from The Lightbox in Woking on 20 May, with details on how to become an attendee to be published in the News & Mail.

CREST21 Awards, presented by the Woking News & Mail in association with the University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability, has received Headline Sponsorship from Surrey County Council, see the initiative aligning with its own Climate Change Strategy, published last year.

Natalie Bramhall, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, says: “The CREST21 Awards highlight the importance of the supporting and developing the green economy in Surrey and we are proud to be the headline sponsor.”

The awards has won support from locally-based companies and organisations that include Woking Council’s Planet Woking, Transforming Food Sponsor, Holdsway, sponsoring Efficiency Champion and Chambers Group, sponsoring the overall Sustainability Hero Award.

Kier Highways, another of CREST21 Awards sponsors is one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure services company, supporting two categories Sustainability Impact and Going Circular.

Bernard Hodgkinson, General Manager, Kier Highways, reflected that Going Circular, in common with most of the categories, is relevant to all aspects of our lives, and said: “With so much of what we use today being seen as “one use” or “throw away”, it’s great to see an initiative in Surrey that is recognising efforts that will reduce our consumption of precious resources, and help to support and sustain the local and wider economy.”

Thanks to the Media Sponsor, Woking-based consultancy, Mayer Brown Ltd, the awards are able to accommodate one of the effects of the pandemic which precludes large gatherings. The awards are going ahead as a hybrid event supported by local production company Dreaming Fish and attendees and participants will primarily be online. Another impact of COVID-19 has been the introduction of a totally new award Resilience in Crisis jointly sponsored by the University and the News & Mail.