Contractor Henry Brothers and IT asset disposition and lifecycle management company Vyta have been announced as the only two Northern Irish companies to have been recognised in the King’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development category.
Henry Brothers was praised for its exemplary approach which has resulted in significant benefits for the business, the environment, and the wider construction sector, while Vyta was acknowledged for its recycling processes, which resulted in the prevention of the release of nearly 40,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Ian Henry MBE, CR Director at Henry Brothers, commented:
“It is a tremendous privilege to be awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.
“This achievement underscores our ongoing commitment to responsible business, something which is instilled deep within the culture of our organisation and is very much part of who we are as a company.
“Sustainable practices have been at the heart of Henry Brothers’ operations since its inception, and we make a conscious effort to minimise our environmental impact while maximising positive social and business outcomes.
“In addition to our ambitious Net-Zero Strategy, our approach to sustainable development encompasses a number of initiatives designed to encourage positive health and wellbeing amongst our staff and enhance community engagement.”
Henry Brothers was also acknowledged for its innovation, which has led to the formation of a 27-acre Nature Reserve based at its Headquarters in Magherafelt that over 5,000 pupils from schools across Northern Ireland have had the opportunity to visit.
Philip McMichael, Vyta Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Sustainability has been in Vyta’s DNA since the company began operating, with our entire business model based on helping firms manage their IT responsibly and to reduce their environmental impact.
“As one of only two companies in Northern Ireland to have achieved the King’s Award for Sustainable Development in 2024, this accolade recognises both our commitment to minimising our own environmental footprint and that of our customers and partners, as well as our dedication to fostering initiatives within the wider communities in which we operate.
“This is such a well-deserved recognition for the entire team at Vyta and is testament to what, for many, is a lifetime’s work. We will continue to build on the progress made in recent years to reduce our environmental impact and realise a brighter future in a more sustainable world.
“As a world leader in IT Asset Disposition and Lifecycle Management, Vyta works in close collaboration with clients and partners, empowering them with comprehensive carbon impact reporting to measure their carbon impact, to make informed decisions, and align their sustainability efforts with broader ESG objectives.”
Vyta’s focus on sustainability attracted significant investment in 2021 and led to the expansion of Vyta’s operations in the UK, with the acquisition of asset disposition firm, FGD in Essex, in 2022. The company currently has four sites across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.