KEiBA commit
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BUSINESS
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY (sponsored by GSE Group)
Cripps Harries Hall LLP, Tunbridge
Wells
“Top to bottom buy-in from employees” is how
judges summed up the winner’s credentials.
This law firm has warmly embraced community
involvement (CIP) and corporate social responsibility (CSR),
combining both with strong environmental policies.
Founded as a partnership in 1852, Cripps
employs 270 people, is the largest legal practice in Kent and
ranked 108th in the country.
It provides a full range of legal services to
business and private clients from across the region and beyond.
It advises high profile clients ranging from
plcs to financial institutions, local and national government
bodies, and charities.
It aligns clear CSR and CIP policies with the
firm’s core values of Distinctive - “bespoke and organic, not
imposed from above” – Open – “to everybody and entirely voluntary”
– and Committed – “by matching people’s enthusiasms, our efforts
would be whole-hearted.”
Every member of staff is entitled to use one
working day a year on CIP activities.
One of these activities included constructing
a fox-proof pen at Pepenbury, a residential care home for adults
with learning difficulties.
Staff also created a garden at the TN2
Community Centre, painted the art room at Tunbridge Wells Mental
Health Resource, and made lanterns with pupils at St Barnabas
Primary School. A Christmas activity involved tree decoration and
carol singing with residents of Seven Springs Cheshire Home.
Volunteers also visit St Barnabas school once
a week to mentor children in reading skills. CHH sponsors various
events and staff nomiate a charity of the year,
Green concerns have been focused on reducing
carbon footprint by sensible energy usage and recycling.
“Being based in Kent does give us significant
business advantages. The beauties and amenities of Kent mean that
we can attract and retain staff even though we cannot pay the
salaries of London firms who in many areas of law are our main
competitors. Because of our location and people, we can officer
City quality legal services at much lower rates.”
Winner
Cripps Harries Hall LLP
Location: Tunbridge Wells
Business Sector: Law
Key Product/Services: Legal services
Number of Employees: 270
Established: 1852
Runners-up
Denne Construction
Location: Sittingbourne
Business Sector: Construction
Key Product/Services: The construction of high
quality private and affordable units, care and extra care
facilities and regeneration projects.
Number of Employees: 170
Established: 1803
mhs homes
Location: Chatham
Business Sector: Housing Association
Key Product/Services: Housing Provider – Not
for profit
Number of Employees: 315
Established: July 1990
Thursday, June 25 2009
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