The award recognises organisations that go beyond profit to deliver meaningful impact for local people, communities and the wider borough economy.

The initiative launches at a time when businesses are facing increasing pressure to attract skilled workers, strengthen their reputation and demonstrate measurable social value alongside commercial performance.

As the largest economy in Essex, contributing more than £6.5 billion annually, Basildon Borough is home to thousands of ambitious businesses operating across advanced manufacturing, professional services, logistics, engineering and technology.

Kate Bell , Managing Director at Rickard Luckin, said:

"We are very proud of our reputation as a people-focused business and a supporter of the local community in which we operate. We are delighted to be one of the first recipients of this Local Impact Award."

The new award aims to ensure the organisations helping drive that success - often quietly behind the scenes - receive greater recognition for the role they play in supporting local people and places.

The award celebrates businesses across Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, Laindon and Pitsea that are helping shape a stronger, more inclusive and resilient local economy through responsible leadership, local investment and community action.

The Local Impact Award focuses on recognising local firms across core areas including:

Recognising businesses that actively invest in local people and communities by:

• Employing local talent, with at least 75% of staff living within 20 miles of their workplace
• Providing volunteering opportunities for employees
• Supporting careers education through work experience, mentoring and attendance at local career fairs

Celebrating organisations committed to sustainable and ethical business practices, including:

• Demonstrating measurable improvements in environmental impact
• Delivering carbon savings locally
• Paying fair wages and providing strong working conditions

According to BBL, the award has been designed to recognise businesses creating genuine long-term value locally, while encouraging more organisations to embed community impact into future growth plans.

Recent examples of local impact initiatives across the borough include businesses creating apprenticeship pathways for young people, supporting local charities and foodbanks, reducing operational emissions and developing partnerships with schools and community organisations.

Richard Willis, Exec Board Member of Basildon Business Leaders and Co-Founder of Billericay based Attract & Engage, said:

"Too many businesses doing the right thing locally go unnoticed. Some of the borough’s most valuable firms are not always the loudest, but they are creating opportunities for local people, supporting youngsters into work, and doing their bit to improve the environment around us."

"The Local Impact Award recognises businesses that understand local growth works best when local people feel the benefit. Across Basildon Borough, there is a growing number of firms, large and small, who are proving that responsible business is also good business. It’s great to be finally giving them the local recognition they deserve through The Local Impact Award. ”

BBL expects the award to become a recognised benchmark for responsible business leadership across the Borough of Basildon, and the wider Essex business community.

Applications and nominations are now open to microbusinesses, SMEs and larger organisations operating across the borough.

Businesses can access eligibility criteria and nomination details and apply via the Basildon Business Leaders Local Impact portal:  Local Impact Award - Basildon Business Leaders