Unilever  has taken home the title of ”Company of the Year” for its global work enhancing the social, environmental and economic impact of its brands at every stage of the product lifecycle.

The title was awarded by the Business in the Community’s (BITC’s), which recognises companies that ensure that being responsible is integral to their business model. HRH The Prince of Wales,

President of BITC and a keen environmentalist, was present along with 1000 business leaders as Amanda Sourry, EVP, UK & Ireland, was presented with the award at the thirteenth Awards for Excellence in London’s Royal Albert Hall. The title was handed over by Philip Green, Chief Executive of last year’s winning company United Utilities, which is also supporting the 2010 Awards for Excellence.

At the gathering, Philip Green stated that:

“Unilever is an outstanding example to others and a worthy winner. What is really impressive is how Unilever has realistically appraised the impact of its products across the whole life-cycle and built sustainability into product design. Through this it can change consumer behaviour as well as find innovative ways to improve the impact of products for its customers and our planet. Unilever is showing us all that business success goes hand in hand with responsible leadership.”

Amanda Sourry, Chairman, Unilever UK & Ireland, responded:

“We are delighted to be named Business in the Community’s ‘Company of the Year’ 2010. Business has a great responsibility and opportunity to create and enable positive change, for both society and the environment, particularly in such turbulent economic times. In the long run, we believe it will be the businesses which do the right thing, in the right way, to the best of their talents, which will ultimately prosper.”