A ROMFORD firm has been named Responsible Small Business of the Year, an award for companies with a turnover of less than £300 million, at Business in the Community's annual Responsible Business Awards.
Lakehouse, a support services provider, was founded in 1988 by Chief Executive Steve Rawlings, and operated from a house in Wanstead, east London, during its early days.
It now employs over 600 people with its head office in Romford home to around 70 staff.
It specialises in construction and maintenance in the social housing, education, health and public buildings sectors.
Lakehouse received the award for its investment in sustainability, which has underpinned its growth in the past six years.
The company was recognised by judges for putting sustainability and responsibility at the core of how it approaches relationships with clients, its supply chain, and the local community.
Lakehouse has improved the employability of hundreds of young, homeless or unemployed people in London.
The awards ceremony, which was attended by Prime Minister David Cameron, included CEOs of some of the UK's biggest brands, and representatives from government, charity groups and community organisations.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said: "Lakehouse is a small company making a big impact in the community.
"In a relatively short time, Lakehouse founder Steve Rawlings has built a profitable, successful business with responsible practice at its core.
"From investing in community projects and providing training for hundreds of young people to helping some of our hardest to reach individuals into employment, Lakehouse is an inspiring example of responsible business in action.
"They are a deserving winner of the Santander Responsible Small Business of the Year and a great example to others of business as a force for good."
Jonathan Brookes, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Lakehouse, said: "Sustainability is key to our growth strategy and the way we work as an organisation.
"We recognise the importance of investing in the communities we work in and taking the time to support local people.
"This award is a fantastic recognition of our achievements."
