BECOMES FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICES ORGANISATION TO GAIN FIVE STARS IN RECOGNITION OF ITS SUPPORT FOR UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Skipton Building Society has become the first financial services provider to gain a 5 Star rating for its support for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Skipton, the UK’s fourth largest building society, has long been working towards a more sustainable future.

Now the Society is proud to announce that its support for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals has been recognised by Support the Goals, an initiative to rate and recognise the businesses that support the UN Global Goals.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals - also known as the Global Goals or SDGs – are a plan to end poverty, extreme inequality, and climate change by 2030. Agreed in 2015 by world leaders, these goals can only be achieved with the support of businesses.

Skipton Building Society has just been awarded five stars by Support the Goals. Stars are awarded when businesses publicly demonstrate plans, commitments, actions and progress towards the SDGs, and involve their suppliers.

One recent example was when the Society announced that it was making a permanent change to paying its SME suppliers, meaning they will receive full payment from Skipton within ten days, reducing the time by two thirds.

The Society is also encouraging colleagues to contribute by sharing hints and tips on how to go green at home and Skipton has also installed electric car charging points at its head office.

David Cutter, Skipton Group CEO, said: “We are extremely proud to be awarded a 5 Star rating from Support the Goals underlining our commitment to supporting the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals. We believe that businesses need to get behind the Global Goals and help create a better world by 2030. We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised.

“By being part of Support the Goals, Skipton joins other industry leaders, innovators and everyday businesses who are using the platform to publicly state their support for the Global Goals. It also helps us involve our suppliers - where most of our environmental and social impact occurs. And as we improve our sustainability, we improve our efficiency too.”

Colin Curtis, of Support the Goals, said: “Congratulations to Skipton Building Society for achieving their 5 Star rating - so far the only financial services company to have this. By publicly sharing a plan and measurable commitments to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and sharing details of the actions it has taken and the progress made so far, Skipton Building Society has shown real leadership.

“Most importantly, by involving their suppliers they’re raising awareness of the goals.”

Find out more about Support the Goals at https://www.supportthegoals.org/about/ and information about the Global Goals is available at https://supportthegoals.org/goals

PICTURE: David Cutter, Skipton Group CEO.

Skipton Building Society, Principal Office: The Bailey Skipton, BD23 1DN

Skipton Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, under registration number 153706, for accepting deposits, advising on and arranging mortgages and providing Restricted financial advice. Principal Office, The Bailey, Skipton, North BD23 1DN.

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