City Building – one of Scotland’s largest construction firms – has triumphed in the prestigious corporate social responsibility award category at The Scottish Business Awards 2012.

The Awards, which were held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 23 February, celebrate Scotland’s 90 most successful, growing and dynamic businesses.

The firm won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the ceremony, for its sustainable practices and positive impact on the community. It was one of only three Glasgow companies to win a gong.

City Building managing director John Foley, said: "This is great recognition for generating real economic and sustainable benefits in our local communities and beyond, as well as our dedication to training hundreds of apprentices each year.

"City Building trains over 500 apprentices, more than any other company in Scotland. We have created a highly-skilled workforce which contributes significantly to the economic stability and development of Scotland and we are proud that our unique social ethos has been recognised by the Scottish Business Awards."

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The awards were hosted by Angus Deayton and included a special address by Sir Bob Geldof. The judging panel was chaired by Duncan Bannatyne OBE, and included self-made multi-millionaire Shaf Rasul, entrepreneur Azeem Ibrahim, and owner of the MacDonald hotel chain, Donald MacDonald OBE.

City Building’s green achievements include gaining both ISO 14001 accreditation and Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) status, plus successfully delivering new energy-efficient schools, housing and refurbished properties across West Central Scotland.

Via the ground-breaking Glasgow House project, City Building constructed highly energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable prototype homes which deliver an impressive two-thirds reduction in the typical energy costs of a three-bedroom home.

To complement this, the company is also training Scotland’s first generation of "renewables" tradespeople with specific qualifications in micro-renewables as part of their apprenticeship programme.

City Building also operates Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), which employs 240 people, over 50 per cent of whom have a disability. Dedicated to making a difference in the community, RSBi has become one of the country’s leading examples of social enterprise, combining commercial success with socially responsible practices.

In partnership with Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, City Building also employs a number of HM Forces veterans who have been medically discharged after active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

*pictured: Entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter on a recent visit to City Building’s manufacturing division, Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi)

(GK)