Atos Origin Wins 'Best Business' in West Lothian for Second Year Running
Leading international IT services company Atos Origin recognised for corporate social responsibility efforts is named Best Business 2010 by West Lothian Chamber of Commerce.
At a glittering ceremony last week, Atos Origin became the first ever business to have scooped the coveted Best Business title twice in a row at the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Excellence Awards.
A team from the company were presented with the award at Houstoun House Hotel from the category sponsor, Network Rail. The company was credited for its commitment to West Lothian both as a significant employer in West Lothian and a business that regularly gives something back to the local community.
Employees from Atos Origin actively support local charities and have raised over £25,000 for NHS Lothian’s Sunndach Children’s Respite Home, the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, Cancer Research UK, and Maggie’s. One of its green credentials includes a staff car sharing initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.
Local school children at Williamston Primary were delighted earlier this year when Atos Origin organised a visit from alpine skier Jan-Michael Kochalski. As the Worldwide IT partner of the Olympic Games, Atos Origin also supports a number of athletes, amongst them some Scottish stars like Jan-Michael. The company also continued its support for higher education, sponsoring Heriot-Watt’s Computer Science students’ third year class prize.
In terms of its business activities, the company demonstrated excellent performance in the last 12 months securing significant contracts with Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, FirstGroup and Aberdeen City Council. It also launched a dynamic online loyalty programme for the purchase of rail tickets through the site www.redspottedhanky.com <http://www.redspottedhanky.com> . In April, the company expanded and grew its business in Livingston by opening a new customer focused office.
Steve Langmead, Vice-President Scotland, Atos Origin said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won Best Business in West Lothian for the second year running and look forward to continuing to support our local communities. Corporate social responsibility is an important commitment to us on a global and local level. We are proud to be part of the vibrant, forward-looking and lively business scene in West Lothian, and look forward to growing our business further in Livingston aiming for a hat trick next year. It is through the hard work and commitment of our people that have helped us to gain this award. Congratulations to everyone.”
Dave McDougall, Chief Executive, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce said: "This is the first time any company has won the Best Business award in West Lothian two years running. It is a reflection on the outstanding quality of Atos Origin’s business that they have been recognised in this way. They are great ambassadors for West Lothian. They participate in the community and they are driving the economy forward. The UK needs more businesses like Atos Origin!"
The West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2010 have been running since 2001.
