A toilet in full working order, 73 car tyres and a boat's outboard motor were among seven tons of junk recently recovered from Lake Windermere by Impact International. Paul Rose, who is a consultant to Impact — and also a TV presenter and environmental campaigner — led 262 divers in a clean-up operation last year as a part of the firm's green commitment. “Impact doesn't just talk about doing good,” says the company, “we actually do it.” The 99 employees at this leadership development consultancy agree. They give the long-standing Best Company its highest-ranked score for making a positive difference to the world (a top-three, 92% positive result). Impact International is based in Windermere, Cumbria, and has an office in London and another 18 around the world. It helps companies and organisations, from Barclays bank to the Welsh Assembly, develop leaders, manage talent and change employee behaviour so they become “sustainable enterprises” — profitable outfits with a sense of social responsibility. Its own mission is based on valuing “planet, people and profit”, and employees say it has a strong social conscience (93%), genuinely cares about the environment (90%) and supports local communities (83%). All are top-five-ranked scores. Last year, 70 people got involved with charitable activities during worktime, and everyone had at least three days in which to complete projects that benefit the firm and the community. Each year the firm funds, plans and runs a residential holiday for 20 disadvantaged children in Cumbria, and it has its own charitable organisation, Impact Aid, which has raised more than £33,000 for 200 causes since 1996. Facilitators typically earn almost £51,000 a year, but it's not just about the money, as people love working for the firm (91%) and are proud to make an impact together (94%). www.impactinternational.com
