3 December: Tonight sees The John Lewis Partnership revealed as one of the big winners of Britain's Most Admired Companies (BMAC) awards in association with BSI, the business standards company.
Dozens of the UK’s top leaders representing British brands such as Diageo, Unilever, J Sainsbury and BT Group will come together at the awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of British business. As an annual review run by Management Today, the BMAC awards mark a night of recognition of those businesses who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers and competitors.
For the last 23 years, the awards have exposed businesses from across the UK to rigorous scrutiny by their peers, with over 250 companies having been reviewed this year alone.
The awards will be hosted by The Rt Hon the Lord Heseltine CH, the former Conservative MP, and Matthew Gwyther, Editor of Management Today. BSI Chief Executive Howard Kerr will be delivering a key-note speech to recognize the achievements of all present, congratulate those who won, and to introduce BSI’s very own award, the BSI Award for Continual Excellence.
British retail co-operative, The John Lewis Partnership, was awarded with the BSI Award for Continual Excellence. This award is based on the BMAC research’s free vote, which asks respondents to name the company they most admire from all 247 listed.
Accordingly The John Lewis Partnership was given the award for its approach to driving performance. This has manifested in its peerless customer service, quality of products and exemplary industry leadership, particularly through tough economic times.
BSI is committed to fostering excellence in companies around the world, with its standards forming the cornerstone of this throughout its 112 year history. As frameworks of trusted knowledge compiled by industry experts and key stakeholders, standards are essential to success within a crowded market and bolster innovation and growth. From management systems to technology safeguards, BSI’s standards remain a mark of excellence by which organizations can be recognized as best in class.
Commenting on the BSI award for Continual Excellence Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI, said: “As we emerge from the economic downturn, only those companies who continually strive for excellence can claim their business remains robust and healthy. Those most successful in this have made it their mission to adapt to the changing economic environment, whilst ensuring they continue to uphold their promises to their customers, shareholders and staff.
“The John Lewis Partnership is a paragon of these attitudes, ensuring that best practice principles and procedures form a fundamental part of its operations. They have remained a market leader throughout tough economic times and the following recovery and for this reason it is our great pleasure to award them the BSI Award for Continual Excellence.”
A John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said: “Our Partners, who own the business, will be delighted to hear that their dedication to business success, and the quality of our customer service and products in Waitrose and John Lewis, has been recognised in this award. Increasingly, customers are shopping with us through multiple channels across both brands, with initiatives like click and collect demonstrating how much they value choice and convenience.”
Mr Kerr went on to say: “All the organisations shortlisted for these prestigious awards have been recognized by their peers as market leaders in demonstrating the need for continual improvement and have consistently challenged organizational complacency in their pursuit of success. These qualities are embodied entirely in the BMAC winners.
“Whilst this is only the second year this accolade has been awarded and the second awards ceremony that BSI has been involved with, we are proud to have supported organizations large and small worldwide for much longer than this. With 84% of the 50 shortlisted BMAC companies being BSI clients, we look forward to continuing these relationships in helping them continue their pursuit of habitual excellence.”
Top Award Winners:
· Britain’s Most Admired Company – Diageo plc
· Britain’s Most Admired Leader – Justin King, J Sainsbury
· BSI Award for Continual Excellence – John Lewis Partnership
