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BPCC Business Awards 2010
On 29th April, The British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) celebrated with Link4 and the winners of the BPCC Annual Awards 2010 at the Business Awards Gala. The ceremony took place following the BPCC 7th Annual Conference – The Payment Revolution at Warsaw’s Hilton Hotel.
David Thomas, BPCC chairman, together with Martin Oxley, the BPCC’s CEO and Roger Hogkiss, CEO of Link4 – part of the RSA Group which was celebrating its 300th birthday, presented winners of eight prizes in the following categories:
BPCC Company of the Year: Tesco
Tesco helped has Polish customers to survive the economic slowdown. Using its insight and market knowledge it created offers tailored to customers’ needs and shopping behaviours. It managed to maintain a positive sales trend with 2% like-for-like sales and 5% organic growth. As such it was the fastest growing Tesco market in Europe. Tesco Polska sales in 2009/10 were PLN 9.3 billion (ex VAT).
Tesco Polska employs nearly 27,000 people in 339 stores totalling over 708,000 m2. Tesco Polska cooperates with more than 1,500 Polish suppliers.
CSR Initiative of the Year: Aviva
In 2009 Aviva – the insurance and finance group – created the Aviva Foundation, an important element of the group’s corporate strategy in CSR. The Foundation developed the concept of long-term support for Polish athletes with disabilities preparing for the Paralympics Games in London in 2012. Its main point is a unique scholarship programme in Poland for 50 athletes and 18 coaches, which will last until 2012. The foundation has created a special website www.paraolympic.pl. The president of the Polish Paralympics Committee, Longin Komołowski, said that Aviva is the first company in Poland which has proposed such comprehensive and long-term support for disabled athletes.
Business Development Award: Total Recycling Services
The dynamically developing Total Recycling Services extended its operations by entering new branches of rubbish disposal and recycling, organising additional collections of paper, glass, plastics and hazardous wastes. In 2009, a foreign investor – Catalyst Holding – (www.catalystholding.com) became interested in Total Recycling Services. After signing a cooperation agreement, it became a limited liability company. Its goal is no longer only to offer services in selected areas of waste management, but now to add to the portfolio the total outsourcing related to this issue. In addition to the operational activities (such as export and disposal of waste) the company provides waste management and educational consulting.
Hotel of the Year: InterContinental Warszawa
ICW is part of British IHG Group plc, currently largest hotel chain in the world by number of rooms. It has been voted Poland's Leading Hotel 2009 by World Travel Awards, and consistently achieves highest guest evaluations both IC internal as well as in external/social Media forums (www.tripadvisor.com etc). ICW is most active in CSR, supporting numerous charitable organisations (FCSR, Prince Charles Charities, Warsaw Tourism & Hospitality schools etc) and events through Poland, and is currently main supporter of the WDA in the organising CHOPIN LIVES – 100 Pianos celebration of the composer’s birthday. Has proudly served its British, Polish and international clientele in Warsaw for six years, hosting well over one million guests.
Most customer-focused organisation: Jones Lang LaSalle
Jones Lang LaSalle retail team in Poland has carried out fantastic job in process of leasing Galeria Jurajska. Thanks to its professionalism, enthusiasm, creativity and hard work the centre opened with one of the best and strongest tenant mixes in Poland and proved to be a success.
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Jones Lang LaSalle is a financial and professional services firm specialising in real estate services and investment management. With more than 30,000 people in 750 locations in 60 countries serving the local, regional and global real estate needs of its clients, Jones Lang LaSalle has been growing in the process. In response to changing client expectations and market conditions, the company assembles teams of experts who deliver integrated services built on market insight and foresight, sound research and relevant market knowledge. Jones Lang LaSalle attracts, develops and rewards the best people in its industry, challenging them to develop enduring client relationships built on quality service, collaboration and trust.
British-Polish Exporter of the Year: Torftech
Torftech is very much a company for our time. Having developed an innovative technology for the clean-burn of biowaste through a system of gasification, the company settled on Poland as its manufacturing base. Over 100 of the bio-waste combusting boilers have been built in Świdnica and exported to countries such as Canada, Germany and Denmark. In June this year, the first commercial power plant in Poland using a Torftech boiler will open for business. Torftech's system of gasifying biowaste such as straw reduces CO2 emissions by 92% compared with the burning of coal. The boilers produce between one and five megawatts of power as well as hot water for local housing. The potential for thousands of power plants like this across the agricultural areas of the world offers a sustainable alternative to coal powered generation.
BPCC Special Award: Essex Chambers of Commerce
Essex Chambers of Commerce got in touch with the BPCC last year to explore what the two organisations could do together to promote Poland as a great location for exporters. Since that initial meeting the Essex Chambers have been unfailingly positive about Poland and the BPCC, concluding with a mission of their members to Warsaw that should have taken place last week. Unfortunately, because of the transport issues arising from the volcanic ash air travel ban, the mission was postponed; a larger group will come across in early July.
The BPCC and its membership is stronger because of its relationship with Essex Chambers of Commerce and this special award has been presented in recognition of the work the two organisations have done together.
BPCC Special Award – New Entrance to the Market: Link4
Link 4 is the first direct insurance company on the Polish market. It has been on the market for seven years and during this time gained over 300,000 clients and over 500 employees. Although by size not the largest Polish insurer, it is extremely well-known; in terms of brand recognition it is ranked third. Over 80% of Link 4’s clients are satisfied by their services. In 2009, RSA, one of the UK’s largest insurance companies, acquired the remaining 50% of the shares in Link 4 to become its outright owner.
For press further information:
Wioletta Rodak-Slabuszewska, British Polish Chamber of Commerce
tel: +48 (0)22 320 01 18
e-mail:
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British-Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC)
Established in 1992 the BPCC has grown to become Poland’s leading international voice of business. It is a not for profit membership comprising 500 member companies which represent 25% of the total foreign direct investment in Poland since 1990. The BPCC’s mission is to promote international business, cultural relations and leadership in sustainable business. The BPCC is a recognized public voice on British Polish bilateral relations working closely with business and government to create a better business environment. A key goal of the organisation is to promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable economic development.
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