One of Scotland’s largest construction companies has received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in recognition of its social and environmental work.

The awards, which are seen as the most prestigious prizes available to UK businesses, come as the Queen prepares to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

City Building is strongly committed to the development of sustainable housing. The company has formed a unique partnership with Glasgow Housing Association to build four prototype affordable houses – the first of their kind in Scotland. The Glasgow House initiative applies high levels of insulation, solar thermal panels and the use of solar gain to reduce energy consumption by 75 per cent to help tackle fuel poverty.

The business also incorporates the UK’s largest and most successful supported factory, Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi). This facility provides vital employment and training opportunities for its disabled workforce and ex-service personnel returning from active service.

City Building, Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction firm, works closely with housing associations and local agencies to improve well-being in the communities where it operates.

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In addition, City Building runs Scotland’s largest apprentice centre with training programmes that focus on the importance of sustainability in construction through its pioneering ‘renewables apprenticeships’ scheme.

City Building works in partnership with leading organisations, including the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). Lesley Sawers, Chief Executive of SCDI, commented: "This award is well-earned and a great recognition of the outstanding efforts of City Building as a leader in sustainability, environmental responsibility and community development.

"SCDI congratulates the management, staff and many apprentices of City Building for their hard work, dedication and teamwork in achieving this high-profile award and making the vision of a responsible and sustainable organisation a reality."

The company was awarded a VIBES (Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland) Award in recognition of the successful reduction of its own carbon footprint in 2011 and is also a former winner of the Large Green Company of the Year in Scotland. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are made annually by Her Majesty The Queen. They are made on the advice of the Prime Minister after all applications have been considered by an advisory committee of leading experts.

City Building managing director, John Foley, said: "These awards are the pinnacle of achievement for any UK business. It is extra special to be honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the year of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and everyone at City Building can be very proud of their contribution towards achieving this accolade.

"As one of Scotland’s largest construction firms we have always placed great emphasis on our unique social ethos, which is vital to our success. City Building engages directly with the community to ensure all our work leaves a lasting legacy for local residents. We deliver green solutions to customers, and we have cut our own carbon footprint by more than a quarter since 2007."

City Building will also receive an invitation from the Queen to a reception at Buckingham Palace and has the right to use the award for promotional purposes for a five year period. The company will be presented with the award by one of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants on behalf of the Queen later this year.

(GK)