Forewords & Addresses:

Alan Tillotson, Chief Executive, ARENA Network

We first held the Wales Environment Awards in 1998 and these included 5 individual award categories. In 2003, the number of categories increased from 8 to 16 individual awards reflecting the embedding of ‘environment’ across a wider range of business activities. Last year, the Annual Awards were incorporated into the ‘Sustainability & Wales Conference 2005’ and, this year, they have been aligned more closely with the sustainable development strategy for Wales.

The objectives of this new approach are to increase awareness and understanding of sustainable development issues; to position the individual awards within the broader context of sustainability; to acknowledge the contributions that businesses and other organisations are making towards this strategy for Wales; and, most importantly of course, to celebrate best practice.

Although the Annual Awards are accredited by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce, we have endeavoured to develop further this best practice by addressing sustainability issues in the organisation of the event. We have looked at ways of establishing, minimising and offsetting the ‘footprint’ for the whole event including the detailed monitoring and minimisation of mileage and CO2 emissions associated with all travel undertaken for the event; the production of all published materials; minimising filming and by restricting the issue of printed materials & making them available on a bespoke website. Further information is available on www.walessustainabilityawards.com and www.arenanetwork.org   

Additionally, we have worked closely with both the Cardiff Marriott and the Ramada Plaza in Wrexham in order to source the food for the Awards dinner from within Wales and to determine its footprint. However, the sourcing of Welsh wines to accompany the meal proved more of a challenge and these were selected following a blind and lengthy tasting!

This is only the second time that we have produced a booklet which provides a short summary of all of the award categories, finalists and sponsors and I hope that you find it both informative and stimulating. Further information is available on the websites where there is also an opportunity to provide us with any feedback.

Finally, on behalf of ARENA Network, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in this year’s Annual Awards including particularly all our sponsors, supporters, applicants and finalists and also to extend congratulations to all winners of the Wales Business & Sustainability Awards 2006.

Alan Tillotson
Chief Executive, ARENA Network