Beaverbrooks is jewel as Payroll Giving takes off

Retail jewellery chain Beaverbrooks claimed the top prize in the annual National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards, presented at The Treasury last month. Despite a difficult year for the economy, the company achieved an impressive 25% take-up of Payroll Giving – overshooting its target of 10% – as part of an imaginative campaign that impressed the judges.

Beaverbrooks also claimed the prize of Best Launch of a New Scheme at the presentation, hosted by Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to The Treasury, and the Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith MP.

There was a surprising increase in the number of applications to the prestigious awards – up one-third on 2008 – and in total donations via tax-free payroll deductions – up 5%. This was achieved against the backdrop of the deepest recession in 60 years.

A range of employers, sector and media representatives, and Government officials attended the event, which was compered by Lindsay Boswell, Institute of Fundraising chief executive. The judging panel also included Philip Whiteley, editor in chief of Payroll World.

Other winners included leisure giant Whitbread Group, insurance group Aviva and the Think Money Group. Winners in the new categories of smaller enterprises and the third sector were Haygarth and the British Heart Foundation, respectively. Mr Timms praised the ‘civic patriotism’ of participating employers. ‘People want to give something back into the community. Almost 750,000 people have contributed through Payroll Giving and last year over £100m was donated, plus £13m in matching donations,’ he said.

Read more at Payroll World