RSPCA Good Business Awards 2012 winners

The RSPCA Good Business Awards 2012 were announced at a glittering London event on October 24.

Companies as diverse as global fashion giant ASOS and household favourite Sainsbury’s were rewarded for their animal welfare policies, alongside traditional butchers and luxury small fashion labels.

The London event’s top award among the supermarkets went to Sainsbury’s for Retailer of the Year – judged for their commitment to higher welfare food and great customer communication. Sainsbury’s also picked up the Engagement Award for creating a brand new higher welfare pork luncheon meat.

2012 also marked the launch of the brand new Hot Topic Award, which puts the power to decide which animal welfare issue matters most, into the hands of the consumer.

Live transport was the Hot Topic for 2012, and the judges chose the Co-operative to receive this award - for having an average transport time of less than one hour.

Edge and Sons, a traditional local butcher in the Wirral, won the Best Independent Retailer Award, while organic food delivery company Abel & Cole and cured meat producer The Bath Pig Company were both highly commended.

Lussmans Fish and Grill Restaurants in St Albans and Hertford won the independent restaurant award, while Cafe Spice Namaste in London was highly commended.

The British Larder, Suffolk, won the Pubs Category Award for its commitment to animal welfare. Navigation Inn at Oswestry, was highly commended in this category. Eco Cuisine – an ethical catering company in London - won Best Caterer.

Fashion without fear

Global fashion giant ASOS scooped this year’s Innovation Award. Despite the online fashion and beauty retailer offering over 50,000 branded and own label products, they lead the way in developing and implementing an impressive animal welfare policy that covers wool, angora, cashmere, feathers and down; animal testing, as well as endangered species, fur, leather and exotic skins.

George at Asda was presented with the Large Fashion Company Award, while Izzy Lane scooped the Small Fashion Company Award for producing desirable, ethical high fashion at an achievable price. Eco-fashion label Rapanui was highly commended in this category.

Designer and co-founder of Red or Dead Wayne Hemingway, an RSPCA Good Business Awards fashion judge, said: “This proves the industry has run out of excuses. If a company as large as ASOS can bring so many labels and lines together under one ethical sourcing policy then there is no defence for others.”

Good business adds to that winning formula

"Welcome to Good Things. Since 2005, the RSPCA Good Business Awards have recognised businesses in fashion and food that go the extra mile for higher animal welfare. With 2012's shortlist now announced, you'll find all that's best about good business just a few clicks away.

Fashion - Check out all the latest on last year's winners in our fashion section.

Food - Don't miss all the latest on our food finalists in the fab food section.

For more information on the RSPCA Good Business Awards please visit www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com

Jane Martin – RSPCA Good Business Awards

PS - Check out this four minute video on the awards - lego like you've never seen it!

Rapanui recognised by Branson ethical search

LATEST NEWS: Good Business Award-winning eco-fashion brand Rapanui has made it into the top 50 of Sir Richard Branson’s global competition for ethical entrepreneurs.

More than 500 entries from across the world were submitted, including ideas for a solar-powered football, the world’s most ethical undergarments and a train that allows passengers to share ideas on how to make the world a better place.

The Rapanui gang will now receive free PR support from Virgin's PR agency - Lineup Media.