Business in the Community (BITC) has officially opened entries for the 2026 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland, celebrating organisations that lead the way in responsible and sustainable business practice.
These Awards – in partnership with Henry Brothers – reward and recognise businesses large and small and from every sector who go beyond profit to be a force for good.
The 13 categories are all free to enter and cover a range of themes including diversity, wellbeing, climate, technology, partnerships, and community impact. An individual will be recognised as the 2026 Responsible Business Ambassador and a top prize is awarded to the 2026 NI Responsible Company of the Year, currently held by brand owner and service provider within the Fast Moving Consumer Goods Sector, SHS Group, based in County Antrim.
In a change to the criteria for 2026, the NI Responsible Company of the Year category is now open to public corporations as well as private companies. To be eligible, these organisations must be members of Business in the Community and currently verified or certified by a recognised external body as meeting high standards of ESG/CSR/Responsible Business practices. This can be demonstrated via frameworks such as: CORE: The Standard for Responsible Business; B Corp; Ecovadis rating of 65+.
Vicky Davies, Chair, Business in the Community said:
“These Awards provide a platform to showcase and celebrate the most innovative and inspirational responsible businesses.
“As the only Awards dedicated entirely to responsible business in NI, this is a unique opportunity for leaders in all areas of corporate responsibility to be recognised and rewarded for going beyond profit to be a force for good for society and the environment, and it serves as a way to inspire others to follow suit.”
The full list of Awards categories is as follows:
- NI Responsible Company of the Year Award sponsored by SHS Group
- Climate Action Award sponsored by Heron Energy
- Collaborative Action Award sponsored by Arthur Cox
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award sponsored by Encirc
- Education & Skills Award sponsored by Belfast Harbour
- Employer of Choice Award sponsored by Ulster University
- Impact in your Community Award sponsored by SSE Airtricity
- Nature & Biodiversity Award sponsored by SONI
- One-to-Watch Award sponsored by Danske Bank
- Responsible Business Ambassador sponsored by Fujitsu
- Responsible Digital/Technology Innovation Award sponsored by Allstate
- Responsible Product/Service Award sponsored by Translink
- Wellbeing at Work Award sponsored by Larne Port
The Awards take place in partnership with key sponsor Henry Brothers, event partners JP Corry and SPAR NI, and in association with media partners Ulster Business and U105.
Ian Henry, CSR Director at Henry Brothers, said:
“The Responsible Business Awards NI recognise organisations that deliver real, practical change – an approach we take in our own work through our focus on people, planet, and place.
“After five years of supporting the awards, we have seen the impact they have in raising standards, sharing ideas and encouraging better business practices across the region. They play an important role in showcasing what’s possible when businesses take responsibility seriously.
“We know that we’re Altogether Stronger, and that progress is driven by collaboration, which is why we would encourage businesses of all sizes to explore the categories and put themselves forward.”
Visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards to enter before 1 May and to find out more.