UK: Royal seal of approval for Kent brewer's sustainable development practices

Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has joined an elite list of UK companies to become a recipient of a Queen's Award for Sustainable Development, Shepherd Neame announced on April 21.

Sustainable Development is one of three categories which make up the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, the most prestigious award a UK business can win. It recognises businesses which have an outstanding level of continuous achievement in the environmental and social impacts included in sustainable development.

The Awards are made annually by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

The Kent brewer is one of only seven companies to be honoured in the Sustainable Development category this year. The award highlights the brewery's commitment to local sourcing in all aspects of its brewing and pub retailing operations; its innovative initiatives to reduce the brewery's environmental impact - conserving water, energy and other raw materials; and its significant contribution to the local community.

Says chief executive Jonathan Neame, "Everyone at Shepherd Neame should be enormously proud of this achievement. The award is testament to the collective dedication of all our people striving to operate at the highest levels of excellence environmentally and socially, and always with consideration for the long-term impact. "As Britain's oldest brewer, we need to ensure the brewery's activities have a positive impact on the environment and recognise the need for investment in modern technology and best practice in all we do." The brewery's successful award entry highlighted a number of initiatives: car parking and bikes for brewery staff; investments in an out-of-town distribution centre and an energy conserving state-of-the-art keg plant; a 'Local Food from Local People' scheme for the brewery's pubs; broadband and Post Office services for rural pubs; and many community fundraising events.

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