Swindon-based vehicle leasing and fleet management group Arval’s support for good causes has been recognised with a major CSR (corporate social responsibility) award.
The firm, which has its UK base at Windmill Hill, topped the Philanthropy, Sponsorship and Charitable Giving category in the International CSR Excellence Awards – the third year running that it has been a winner at the awards. 
The Arval Cares Committee is in place to oversee the company’s programmes in this area; defining and managing the overall strategy. However, for a number of years, the Arval approach has been driven by its employees resulting in very high levels of staff engagement. Employees nominate the charities that Arval supports and are responsible for planning, organising and delivering fundraising initiatives.
Last year Arval also launched a formal volunteering scheme. Supported by an integrated and ongoing internal communications campaign to drive participation, every employee is encouraged to take at least one single day, or two half days each year to volunteer for good causes.
The award judges said: “By allowing their employees complete control over the company’s charitable fundraising, Arval has seen very high engagement levels that have allowed them to consistently grow the funds and the support that the charities receive. Funds have grown by 20% over the last year alone and employees are encouraged to take one day off per year to volunteer for charitable work.”
Arval director responsible for CSR, Robert Pieczka, added: “We are keen to make a positive contribution to the communities within which we work. Supporting local charities has become an important part of our culture and something that our employees are passionate about. We feel strongly that our employees should drive our approach forward and it is delivering good results.”
Arval UK is part of the Arval Group, owned by French finance giant BNP Paribas.
