Business leaders: 'Community engagement is still key'

INSPIRATIONAL workers were rewarded at a business partnership organisation event that sent a powerful message to the working world - community engagement is still key.

Slough Business Community Partnership (SBCP) - which supports companies to develop their own corporate responsibility strategy and engage in the community - held its annual conference at Heathrow/Windsor Marriott Hotel, in Langley, on Thursday.


Chairman SBCP/MD Goldteam Recruitment Rafiq Chohan (2nd right) with guest speakers (l-r) Ken Keir OBE, Executive Vice President Honda Motors Europe, Superintendent Richard Humphrey, Area Commander Slough TV Police and Ronan Dunne, CEO Telefonica UK

See also:

• Goldteam Recruitment celebrates its 10th birthday in style
• 'Here come the girls' - students take over business boardroom
• Radio presenter to host recruitment company's 10 year anniversary
• Bringing business and young people together
• Bringing business and young people together

More than 100 business leaders, public sector and voluntary workers heard speeches from Ronan Dunne, chief executive at Telefonica UK, Richard Humphrey, Slough area commander at Thames Valley Police, and Rafiq Chohan, SBCP chair.
The group then dished out awards for businesses and individuals who have made a difference in the community.
Mr Chohan, Slough resident and managing director at Goldteam Recruitment, said: "It was the biggest ever turnout. We just want to raise the profile of our work and raise the community engagement. In this time of austerity it is important the sectors work together."
He added Mr Dunne spoke about O2's 'Go Think Big' project - sending a 'powerful message' about staying active in the community, with Ken Keir, executive vice president of Honda Motor Europe, showing how companies can take leadership with community engagement - despite challenging economic climates.
The big award winner was Raj Tatla from Haybrook College, which provides education for young people unable to attend mainstream schools.
She was presented the president's award for her work in helping vulnerable youngsters gain the confidence and qualifications to find work or further education.
Bob Jones, SBCP partnership manager, added: "The awards recognised some major contributions to the community. The key message is making a difference - it is what businesses can do to put something back into the community."
LeasePlan UK, based in Bath Road, Slough, won company of the year, with Mars Chocolate UK and Research in Motion UK picking up business mentoring awards.