Raj Kumari Byford, founder of One Thought Changes All, is Sustainability Hero 2022 at the CREST22 Business Awards; Surrey’s only green business awards. The Hero award was one of six coveted titles announced at an awards ceremony in May covering a wide cross section of businesses.
Raj, from Weybridge, who set up her not-for-profit business and has helped thousands of vulnerable residents struggling to cope, said: “This award will enable us to now open more doors to help create more environmentally friendly projects to help ensure we have a sustainable future.”
Woking-based McLaren Applied’s winning entry for Smarter Transport was for research and development work that includes a key component for delivering the next generation of electric vehicles, weight reduction technology for train carriages and a fuel analytics platform to reduce carbon emissions.
“As a Surrey-based employer, we’re proud to see our locally-developed solutions being recognised for the pioneering role they play in the transition to more effi cient and lower carbon forms of transport” commented Business Director, Samir Maha.
The Sustainability Impact award was won by Clandon Wood Nature Reserve and Burial Ground on the outskirts of Guildford, while Claire Brown of PlantPassion, which farms and supplies seasonal sustainable flowers in East Clandon, won the Efficiency Champion award.
Nordic Wellness Drinks, which produces Kefir-based fruit drinks, and helps to educate local communities about natural, good health, took the Going Circular title.
Reigate-based Crumbs Brewing won this year’s Transforming Food award for its beer made from unsold loaves from their local bakery.
Professor Angela Druckman, Director of the University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability, and her team have worked in association with CREST Awards since its conception and gave each category award winner the chance to receive sustainable business consultancy advice and CDP training.
She said: “The Centre for Environment & Sustainability (CES) at the University of Surrey is delighted to support the CREST22 Awards. CES is keen to work with local businesses to help them become more sustainable.”
Cllr Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment for Surrey County Council, who were headline sponsors, said: “Surrey County Council is delighted to recognise businesses who are working so hard to reduce carbon emissions in Surrey.”