Highways Agency wins building public trust award for quality in business reporting

The Highways Agency has been praised for setting a benchmark for the rest of the public sector after its annual report and business plan were praised for openness, clarity and customer focus in the national Building Public Trust Awards.

At last night’s awards ceremony in London (Monday, September 29) the Highways Agency, which is responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, beat competition from other public sector agencies and government departments to win the ‘Telling It How It Is’ award for the Public Sector.

Judges praised the Agency’s Annual Report and Business Plan for their openness, clarity and strong customer focus. They also noted the Agency’s strong emphasis on environmental performance.

Mel Zuydam, Highways Agency Director of Finance, said:

“In the current business and financial market conditions, the Agency can be proud to be commended for clear, precise and transparent reporting to the public.

“I am delighted that the Agency has won this award after another successful year, financially and operationally. It is a real testament to the high levels of professionalism of our teams.”

The Building Public Trust Awards celebrate the best of corporate reporting by the UK’s top 350 listed companies and public sector bodies. The annual awards are sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Public Sector award is provided in association with the National Audit Office.

The Highways Agency’s entry was described as a “concise, accessible annual report and business plan, using plain English to describe issues that matter to the general public.

“The organisation’s purpose and key stakeholder – road users – are introduced at the start of the annual report and developed throughout, with a strong focus on customers.

“The coverage of environmental performance is especially comprehensive. This report is a benchmark for much of the public sector.”

This is the second year of success for the Highways Agency, which was runner up in the same category last year.

Author: Lee Sibbald, October 1, 2008
Filed under: Highways Agency