Bradford & Bingley has been acclaimed as visionary by the BT Vision 100 research and awards programme for 2002.

The awards, which featured the Eden Project, the John Lewis Partnership and easyJet, aimed to identify 100 innovative UK organisations. The awards wanted to find firms which have achieved strategic goals through visionary activities over the last 12 months - regardless of size, age or sector.

Founded in 1851, and based in Crossflatts, Bingley, Bradford & Bingley employs 8,000 staff throughout the country in more than 500 branches.

In March 2001, the company launched The MarketPlace at Bradford & Bingley, the first high street brand to offer independent financial advice in all its branches, as well as over the internet.

The Bradford & Bingley Group also owns leading independent mortgage and financial expert, Charcol and niche mortgage provider, Mortgage Express.

Christopher Rodrigues, chief executive, said: "Our vision is to be the largest retail financial services provider in the UK."

Award contenders were short-listed by a team of business journalists and researchers led by Cranfield School of Management.

An advisory panel of opinion leaders and analysts then selected the final 100.

Hugh Merrill, director of Strategic Partnerships at BT Retail and an advisory panel member, said: "These visionary organisations have shown clarity of purpose, imagination and the capacity to break boundaries.

"They have taken original concepts, converted their ideas into reality and now connect with employees, suppliers, partners and customers in creative new ways."

The Eden Project was hailed as the most visionary organisation. The awards featured 24 technology and telecoms companies, ten healthcare organisations, four charities, six county councils, six internet companies, a football club, Crewe Alexandra AFC.