Milton Keynes Council has been a headline sponsor of the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards since its inception in 2014. The council has consistently supported the awards, which allow local businesses to shine a light on their own success stories.
For 2022, the theme of the awards is ‘MK – Leading the UK’s Green Recovery; Survive, Revive & Thrive’ – and this fits perfectly with many of the main themes of support that the council has shown to both businesses and the local community over the past 18 months and in their overall plans for the future.
As part of the council’s £3m Economic Recovery Plan, the £500k Green Recovery Fund was launched in October and invited proposals from local businesses and organisations who wanted to create more sustainable jobs and growth using green business practices. The fund aims to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but in a responsible way. This all helps towards a much larger ambition, to make Milton Keynes the ‘greenest city in the world’, and for MK to become carbon neutral by 2030.
But this is just one of many green initiatives that the council is spearheading. Towards the end of 2021, it was announced that a successful council bid, in partnership with Arriva, will bring a new fleet of fully electric buses to the city, together with an upgraded overnight charging depot facility. All leading to greener, sustainable transport options for residents and businesses. Other initiatives, such as green cargo bikes, tree planting, building and retrofitting zero carbon council homes and upgrading 58,000 streetlights to low energy versions, will also work towards reducing carbon in Milton Keynes.
Sophie Lloyd, Strategic Lead for Economy and Policy at Milton Keynes Council, discusses her thoughts on this year’s MKBAA theme and what the council hope to get from their continued support of the event.
Milton Keynes Council has been a long-time sponsor of MKBAA, why is it important to the council to be involved?
The MKBAA are an important part of celebrating the creativity, innovation and passion across the whole of the Milton Keynes business community. The council is always looking to promote business achievement in MK – we are proud to support MKBAA in showcasing the best of the city’s business talent.
Both the recovery of the local economy and the green agenda are high on the council’s priorities, what do you think of the theme of this year’s awards?
For us, the theme of this year’s awards is very timely. After a very difficult 18 months for MK businesses, it is the right time to pause and reflect on business achievement throughout the pandemic where, in the toughest of circumstances, many of our businesses and charities stepped up for our city.
If we are going to make MK a more sustainable place to live, it is vital that the businesses of Milton Keynes get involved in making the recovery from the pandemic a green one, and that we recognise the achievements of those that have made substantial contributions to the future of our city.
What do you think of the MK business community’s resilience over the last 18 months?
The resilience of our business community over the last 18 months has been remarkable. During the height of the pandemic many businesses offered the council assistance, with everything from food parcel deliveries to PPE, supporting their local community as well as delivering business as usual in the face of unprecedented challenges. Amidst it all, Milton Keynes was named one of the most enterprising places in the UK, as people continued setting up new businesses.
We’re also very grateful to the business community for giving their time to help us develop the MK Economic Recovery Plan, helping us shape the support we’re now providing Milton Keynes businesses.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2022 awards?
Celebrating our fantastic business community and all its achievements. Milton Keynes is always at its best when it comes together.
What would you say to businesses thinking of attending MKBAA 2022?
Join us and the best of the MK business community – let’s help MK revive and thrive!
Nicholas Mann, Chair of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership (MKBLP) and co-organiser of MKBAA, said:
“Milton Keynes Council has been a steadfast supporter of MKBAA since the very beginning. Their ongoing assistance and support to the business community has been unwavering during the pandemic and it is fantastic to see that green initiatives have been put at the very heart of their recovery plan for the city.”
To find out more about the final few remaining sponsorship opportunities for a Milton Keynes Business Achievement Award, visit www.mkbaa.co.uk and follow @MK_BAA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and join the discussion on LinkedIn
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To find out more about Milton Keynes Council go to: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk or to find out more about the Economic Recovery Plan visit –
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/your-council-and-elections/covid-19-in-milton-keynes/economic-recovery-plan
