Somerset-based fashion brand Mulberry has been recognised as one of the UK’s most responsible businesses for the second consecutive year in a prestigious awards scheme run by Business in the Community (BITC).
The firm, which has its global headquarters and a factory at Chilcompton, was reaccredited for the Inspiring Young Talent category in the organisation’s annual Responsible Business Awards, which celebrate organisations that are transforming their communities and in turn their businesses to create a fairer society and a more sustainable future.
The award recognises the apprentice scheme launched by Mulberry for Chilcompton and its new factory in Bridgwater – a high unemployment area – which has not only created opportunities for young people but helped solve the firm’s skills shortage issue.
BITC said one of the social impacts of the scheme was to diversify the range of options available to young people after compulsory education, enabling then to find a paid job that would also allow them to train and develop their skills, and earn a qualification.
Among the business impacts for Mulberry were achieving longevity of the skillset for leather goods manufacture – allowing it to make more technical bags than before – and working towards its strategy of moving orders back from China and Turkey and increasing UK production to 50% of its total output.
Mulberry also pays its apprentices double the legal requirement, and guarantees them a job, which increases the accessibility of the scheme to young people from all backgrounds.
The firm was presented with its certificates at BITC’s South West Responsible Business gala dinner in Bristol last week.
Pictured: Business in the Community field director Patrick Mallon presenting the Inspiring Young Talent Award to the team from Mulberry
