In a remarkable achievement for the West Midlands, three businesses have been honoured with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2024.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are amongst the most well-renowned business awards in the UK, recognising organisations for their contribution to International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development or Promoting Opportunity.
This year, only 29 businesses across the UK received the award for excellence in Sustainable Development. In the West Midlands, Tyseley Energy Park, Unity Trust Bank and Birmingham County FA achieved this recognition for their outstanding commitment to sustainability – each excelling in their respective industries whilst putting sustainable development at the forefront of their operations.
Tyseley Energy Park: A Hub for Green Innovation
Tyseley Energy Park (TEP), part of the Webster and Horsfall Group, has received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development for its transformative work in clean energy innovation. TEP has established itself as a leading green technology hub, focusing on generating low and zero-carbon energy, transport fuels, and supporting green technology businesses.
David Horsfall, TEP’s Director of Property and Sustainability, remarked on the collaborative effort behind this achievement: “It is a great honour to receive this award which has come as the result of years of collaborative work with a wide variety of inspirational partners.” TEP’s efforts are helping to position Birmingham as a centre of the green industrial revolution, fostering green innovation and growth.
Robert Horsfall, TEP’s Head of Finance and Strategic Projects, echoed this sentiment: “Receiving the King’s Award for Sustainable Development is incredibly exciting. Our ambition is to create an exemplary sustainable working and living environment and a neighbourhood built by and for the community.”
Unity Trust Bank: Banking on Positive Social Impact
Unity Trust Bank, which supports organisations to deliver positive social impact, received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development as the business celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Colin Fyfe, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, which is headquartered in Brindleyplace, said: “It’s an honour to receive this award, which recognises how we support socially-minded organisations across the UK and improve the lives of local communities.
“As we celebrate Unity’s 40-year heritage, it’s a wonderful achievement to receive this endorsement from His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister. Sustainable development is embedded into the foundations of Unity, and this further strengthens our ambition and drive as we continue to build on our proud history of delivering social good.”
Unity’s commitment to sustainable development is evident in its use of customer deposits to support organisations that make a positive difference to society. Every loan proposal is aligned against one or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that the bank’s financing delivers measurable impact.
Fyfe added: “We believe our approach to supporting our customers to achieve their commercial and sustainability goals can play a crucial role in addressing key social, economic, and environmental needs.”
Birmingham County FA: Greening Grassroots Football
Birmingham County FA has also been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development for its ground-breaking “Save Today, Play Tomorrow” programme. As the Regional Governing Body for Football across the West Midlands, Birmingham County FA has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of grassroots football.
Chief Executive Kevin Shoemake expressed his excitement about the award: “We are thrilled to accept the King’s Award 2024 for Sustainable Development and have our Save Today, Play Tomorrow programme recognised by His Majesty the King.” The programme is designed to educate and support those involved in grassroots football about environmental challenges and encourage positive changes that benefit future generations.
Richard Lindsay, Sustainability & Insights Manager, emphasised the ongoing commitment to sustainability: “We will continue to strive for excellence in sustainability and drive positive change for a cleaner, greener game.” This recognition underscores Birmingham County FA’s leadership in integrating sustainable practices within the sporting community.
A Unified Commitment to Sustainability
The recognition of Tyseley Energy Park, Unity Trust Bank and Birmingham County FA highlights the diverse ways in which West Midlands businesses are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future. Each organisation, whilst operating in distinct industries—energy, finance and sport—has shown that sustainability can be integrated into core business operations, driving positive impact and inspiring change .
These awards celebrate not only the individual achievements of these organisations but also the collective commitment of the West Midlands to sustainable development. By prioritising environmental, social, and economic sustainability, these businesses are setting a powerful example and paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for the re