Northumbrian Water named one of world’s ‘most ethical’ companies for ninth time

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) has been named as the world’s ‘most ethical’ water company after featuring in a prestigious global list of ethical companies for the ninth time.

The company was selected as part of the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Company list for 2020, which recognises strong ethical standards and practices among businesses worldwide.

NWG, providers of water and waste services to 2.7 million customers in the North, was credited for its strong ethical performance in supporting customers, communities, and the environment, as well as upholding commendable ethical standards.

This was the ninth year that NWG has been rated one of the most ethical companies, featuring as the only water company on this edition of the list and one of just four UK businesses.

It has put ethical issues at the heart of its practices, with a commitment to prevent the equivalent of 4 billion plastic bottles ending up as waste by 2030, plus pledges to become carbon neutral by 2027 and to eliminate water poverty in its operating areas by 2030.

The firm’s staff have also taken time to give something back, with 42 per cent of employees using work time to support 543 organisations through the company’s volunteering scheme.

Heidi Mottram, Northumbrian Water Group′s chief executive officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to once again receive this global recognition as one of the most ethical companies in the world.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to receive this honour for a ninth time, and it is testament not only to the hard efforts of the teams across our business, but to the passion they share for doing their jobs in an ethical way.

“Our people put this passion into their work every day, caring for our customers, for the environment, our communities and our people, delivering services that people simply couldn’t imagine life without.”

Timothy Erblich, Ethisphere’s chief executive officer, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Northumbrian Water Group for earning this recognition.

“This is a moment to acknowledge the leaders working to advance corporate cultures defined by integrity and affirm those companies contributing to broader societal imperatives and the greater good.”

The inclusion of NWG on the list is only the latest achievement for the firm after being the only UK water company to achieve the Environmental Agency’s highest rating for its practices in 2019.