REDA Nominated for International CSR Excellence Award
1st May 2025
We’re proud to announce that REDA has been nominated for an International CSR Excellence Award – a global recognition of our deep commitment to corporate social responsibility and making a lasting impact in our community.
This exciting nomination follows REDA’s achievement of Silver CSR Accreditation in December 2024, reflecting the strength and depth of our commitment across the key pillars of CSR: environment, workplace, community, and philanthropy. It acknowledges that CSR is not just part of what we do – it is embedded in how we operate as a community interest company with purpose, integrity, and a genuine care for Reading’s future.
At REDA, CSR is a core driver of everything we deliver. Our work benefits the business community, residents, and vulnerable groups across Reading. As part of our mission, we actively contribute to:
- Environmental sustainability through initiatives like the Green BID project, energy audits for businesses, and promoting eco-friendly practices town-wide.
- Social inclusion and job creation, managing Employment and Skills Plans to help local people into good quality work.
- Supporting local businesses via the Reading Central and Abbey Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), where we organise and promote recycling services, health and wellbeing activities, community clean-up days, and new green infrastructure.
- Community enrichment, by leading festive events like Reading’s Christmas celebrations, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and the Carnival of the World, we help to celebrate diversity and cultural pride.
- Philanthropic activities, such as fundraising for local charities, organizing giving days for food banks and homeless shelters, and providing pro bono support for community groups.
- Workplace excellence, adopting best practices from Reading Borough Council, ensuring our staff benefit from professional development, flexible working, and ethical recruitment.
Through the BIDs, REDA has been a catalyst for sustainability, wellbeing, and community support in Reading’s town centre. We’ve helped over 700 businesses through targeted initiatives like cardboard recycling (over 400 tonnes recycled last year), new green spaces (like reedbeds planted on the Kennet Canal), and regular wellbeing activities such as free yoga, guided walks, and bootcamps.
Leading by example
Our leadership team is fully committed to CSR. REDA’s Chairman sits on the Reading Climate Partnership steering the town toward Net Zero Carbon by 2030, and our Chief Executive sits on the Reading Social Inclusion Board ensuring no community is left behind. Our Board members – all volunteers – and our staff live the values we promote: collaboration, ethical practice, and sustainability.
Nigel Horton-Baker, Chief Executive of REDA, commented: “We're honoured to represent Reading on an international stage through this nomination – and we're proud to lead with values that put people and place at the heart of everything we do.”
We will continue striving to improve, building a stronger, greener, and more inclusive Reading for future generations. Stay tuned for the awards outcome – and thank you to all our partners, businesses, and community groups who are part of this journey!
