The team behind the largest and most prestigious business awards in the UK, has today announced a new event partner. Octopus Electric Vehicles has become the Official Net Zero Partner of the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, also aligning with the Purpose Before Profit category dedicated to businesses that have gone above and beyond to make a difference.

Octopus Electric Vehicles is a specialist leasing company focused on supporting businesses to make that switch to clean, green transport. Businesses can transition not just their own fleets, but also offer electric cars to their staff as a benefit scheme – Electric Dreams – that can make driving electric cheaper than driving petrol or diesel. Employees can save up to 40% on the cost of driving electric through Electric Dreams, a Salary Sacrifice Scheme, and also receive a free home charger and enough free green energy to drive for a year, or some free miles on the Electric Juice Network to get them started. The team have specially designed Electric Dreams to be simple for businesses to set up and run, supporting with education for their employees, charge points for offices and even fleet charging solutions, all complimented by the companies 5* rating for customer service.

Transport contributes a third of the UK’s carbon emissions, and making the transition to EVs can offer a business a great opportunity to save money and improve employee engagement, as well as doing something good for the planet.  

Octopus EV is one business within the Octopus Energy Group; the others include the supply of renewable energy to millions of homes and businesses; management of over £3bn of wind and solar power generation assets; and a research team developing the next generation of low carbon heating systems. Recognised by the Renewable Energy Association as “the company that’s done the most in the past year to advance UK renewables”, Octopus Energy Group prides themselves on supporting UK businesses to bounce back greener.

Today, it has been announced that Octopus EV, the electric vehicle specialists, has officially come on board as their Official Net Zero Partner and to support the Purpose Before Profit category with a mission to ‘help UK businesses to bounce back greener’.

There are 13 categories at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, but the finalists in the Octopus Electric Vehicles Purpose Before Profit category are:

• Insignia Crisis and Reputation Management
• SchoolOnline.co.uk
• SRL Publishing
• nuddy
• Sahan Cares CIC
• Prestigious Afro Beauty
• Isle Book-keep

Judges were utterly astounded by the passion and commitment these businesses have in ensuring their true values of purpose were upheld even during this time of crisis. Each business had a particular focus on ESG and particularly sustainable practices to compel a commitment to climate change. 

The Octopus Electric Vehicles Purpose Before Profit category aims to celebrate those businesses that have focused their attention away from their day-to-day operations to go above and beyond and provide essential services and supplies to their local community or country. 

The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards (www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk) ceremony is set to take place in a special ceremony on 9th November 2021 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

Sarah Austin, founder of the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, spoke about the partnership: 

“We are so thrilled that Octopus EV has agreed to come on board as our Official Net Zero Partner, because the work they are doing to support businesses is so important. Not only are they electrifying businesses, large and small – but are a shining example of a start-up that has gone from strength to strength. Part of the Octopus Energy Group, they are one of many tentacles tackling our sustainability challenges – from wind power to electric cars, smart meters to heat pumps.”

“The Octopus mission to invest in the ideas, industries and people that will change the world is something we wholeheartedly support. Octopus Energy Group is a phenomenal, home-grown business, which is exactly what the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence awards are all about.

“It’s no secret that the last 18 months have been a challenge for many businesses on many levels and it’s going to be wonderful to host more than 1,000 guests and finalists at the ceremony in November, where we will celebrate some of the brightest business minds in the country.” 

Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, commented:

“Supporting homegrown British business is at the heart of Octopus Electric Vehicles and our clients are helping their drivers and employees switch to clean, green transport. We’re delighted to support the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards, as their Official Net Zero Partner.  The past 18 months has shown the resilience of British businesses, and how they want to return to a greener and more sustainable way of working. The Octopus Electric Vehicles Purpose Before Profit Award is about showcasing the pinnacle of sustainable companies, who uphold best practices and help to set the high standard for their peers in the industry. It is fantastic to see so many companies worthy of the award in the short list, and we’re delighted to be celebrating such leadership in helping UK businesses to bounce back greener.”