‘Stakeholder of the Year’ accolade for Larne firm Kilwaughter Minerals

Larne-based business, Kilwaughter Minerals Limited has won the ‘Stakeholder of the Year’ title at this year’s Social Enterprise NI Awards, in recognition of their contribution in delivering significant social impact.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Larne-based business, Kilwaughter Minerals Limited has won the ‘Stakeholder of the Year’ title at this year’s Social Enterprise NI Awards, in recognition of their contribution in delivering significant social impact.

The quarry and mineral processing firm received the prestigious award for its excellence in social responsibility and partnership with Access Employment Limited (AEL) that is providing valuable and life-changing opportunities for the people of Larne and surrounding areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The coveted accolade was announced during a virtual ceremony attended by more than 200 guests from social enterprise, private, public, and educational sectors.

Kilwaughter Minerals picks up Stakeholder of the Year at Social Enterprise NI AwardsKilwaughter Minerals picks up Stakeholder of the Year at Social Enterprise NI Awards
Kilwaughter Minerals picks up Stakeholder of the Year at Social Enterprise NI Awards

It was hosted by Social Enterprise NI Ambassador, Cate Conway.

For almost 20 years, Kilwaughter has enjoyed a business and social partnership with Access Employment Limited (AEL), Northern Ireland’s first social firm, established to support those with disabilities, health conditions, and social disadvantage into meaningful employment.

Over this timeframe, the partnership has enabled almost 300 additional-needs adults in Larne and surrounding areas to gain a beneficial insight into working within construction and manufacturing, learn new skills, boost their self-confidence, and explore options for further career and educational opportunities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking of her pride at beating stiff competition to be named ‘Stakeholder of the Year’ 2021, head of organisational development at Kilwaughter Minerals, Fiona Byrne, said: “Here at Kilwaughter, we believe that our local communities should benefit from our presence.

“Commitment to social value is in our DNA and our business strategy has been built around inclusion of the social enterprise sector so it is wonderful news that our partnership with AEL has been recognised this year and it is an honour to be named ‘Stakeholder of the Year’.”

Explaining how AEL is not just a bit-part in its operations but an integral link in the Kilwaughter supply chain, Fiona continued: “Access Employment Limited is now responsible for manufacturing and distributing more than 50% of our K Rend sample tiles which are often the very first touchpoint we have with potential customers.

“As a trusted partner, we know we rely on Access Employment Limited to produce products to the highest possible standard and specification that enable customers to make an informed decision about their product needs and ultimately help them chose Kilwaughter as their provider of choice.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Initially focused on the manufacturing of samples for Kilwaughter’s K Rend brand, the remit of Access Employment Limited has grown with Kilwaughter’s growth over the last decade and now supports Kilwaughter’s other segments, K Systems and Kilwaughter Lime.

David Hunter, chief executive at Access Employment Limited who also picked up an individual accolade at this year’s Social Enterprise NI awards, the ‘Leader of the Year’ award, explained: “Kilwaughter Minerals should be applauded for its progressive approach to business as it has been championing social impact since social enterprises were in their infancy in Northern Ireland and long before social value was deemed a measurable component of a company’s success.

“What started as an outsourcing of one function all those years ago has evolved into a multi-faceted partnership where one organisation is almost synonymous with the other in our local community.”

David, who has been at the helm of AEL for the past decade, added: “There is no other organisation in the County Antrim area who is delivering the social impact, empowering the social sector, or enhancing the lives of local residents quite like Kilwaughter Minerals, and no other company more deserving of the ‘Stakeholder of the Year’ award.”

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

Related topics: