A trio of Bradford businesses are celebrating after winning top awards – with two being named in the elite of firms recognised for their corporate responsibility.

Two of the district’s largest employers have gained a platinum rating – the highest possible – in this year’s Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index.

Hallmark Cards and Provident Financial are among the top 24 businesses of the 117 firms listed by BITC.

Hallmark Cards, which has its UK headquarters in Bingley Road and a greetings card print and distribution centre at Dudley Hill, has been recognised for its continued excellence in corporate responsibility and the environment.

Hallmark, which is celebrating its centenary, has improved its BITC ranking to gold for its continued commitment to a robust approach to corporate responsibility throughout its business.

This includes increasing the use of materials from well-managed and recycled sources in UK manufacture, reducing waste and energy use, its Mother’s Day Cards for a Cure campaign, which annually raised more than £1m to fund research into a cure for breast cancer as well as employee charitable activities.

Richard Campbell, group operations director, said: “We are dedicated to achieving excellent corporate social responsibility standards and it is testament to this hard working approach that we have continued to improve our BITC status year-on-year.

“Corporate social responsibility is something that is intrinsic to our organisation and all of our staff work extremely hard to ensure that we continue to excel in all areas.”

Provident Financial has been awarded a platinum rating after achieving 95.25 per cent in the assessment.

The company demonstrated it has fully integrated corporate responsibility into its business model with clear responsibilities and incentives in place at all levels.

Rob Lawson, corporate responsibility manager at Provident Financial, said: “We are delighted to have achieved a platinum rating. Not only does it reflect our continued commitment to managing our business in a sustainable and socially-responsible manner, it is also a reflection of the tremendous work that has been carried out across our businesses to ensure that our CR programme is at the heart of our business strategy.”

Stephen Howard, chief executive, Business in the Community said: “I congratulate Provident Financial on achieving the platinum rating in the 2009 Business in the Community CR index. They are leading the way for other companies in the index to follow by ensuring that CR issues are taken seriously and that businesses are run in a responsible manner. At Business in the Community we believe this is crucial if we are to strengthen and stabilise our businesses and economy.”

l Bradford-based Event Hire has been named the hire company of the year with multiple outlets in the Hire Association industry awards.

The firm opened its Bradford base in May last year after being established by Les Vipond and Phil Edwards in 2005.

The company won the accolade following its expansion and consistency over the past five years.

The firm also has a Midlands base and has opened a London office.