It’s not every day we find ourselves competing for an award with German banks, Slovenian chain stores and Swedish electrical companies, but this month we are up against some of Europe’s biggest businesses for an exclusive honour.

The Fairtrade Foundation is delighted to have been awarded the Ruban d’Honneur Award for Corporate Sustainability in the European Business Awards. This independent awards programme is designed to recognise and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: ‘This tremendous accolade is a tribute to the dedication and energy of the millions of farmers and workers, campaigners, businesses and everyday shoppers who comprise the worldwide Fairtrade movement.’

All Ruban d’Honneur recipients will appear before a final judging panel of heads of state, academics and industrialists across the European member states and the final winner of the Sustainability category will be announced at an awards ceremony on 16 November.