A full-service marketing agency with offices in Liverpool and London has been shortlisted in the national 2015 Responsible Business Awards, run by Business in the Community (BITC).

Agent Marketing was today shortlisted in The Jaguar Land Rover Inspiring Young Talent category at the BITC awards for the achievements of its sister organisation and social enterprise, Agent Academy CIC.

The announcement of the 2015 Responsible Business Awards shortlist coincides with Responsible Business Week (20-26 April 2015) an annual initiative to increase awareness of the positive contribution of businesses in society.

The Responsible Business Awards celebrates organisations that are making a difference – from investing in the wellbeing of employees, to helping young people develop skills, or supporting small businesses to grow. 145 companies have been shortlisted in total across the UK, across the 13 award categories.

Agent Academy CIC is a fully-funded 12 week marketing programme, launched by Agent Marketing in August 2014 as a supportive learning hub for 16-25 year olds. The programme provides young people with practical engagement and hands-on discovery to bridge the gap between theory-based development and the commercial workplace.

Agent Marketing launched Agent Academy CIC to empower young people who may have left university with no practical experience or to benefit those who could not afford higher education. Students on the Academy are taken on a journey through the marketing industry which is designed to give them the best possible chance of securing meaningful employment opportunities.

Across the 12 week programme the Academy’s 10 hand-picked young people interact with and connect to business leaders from across the city region from organisations such as Liverpool ECHO, Shop Direct, Juice FM, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Liverpool City Council.

The academy, now working with its second cohort, is the first of its kind in the country and will run up to four times each year, with investment coming from Agent Marketing’s profits.

Paul Corcoran, Managing Director of Agent Marketing, said:

“My team and I are delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award; this recognition is testament to the hard work of Agent Marketing and Agent Academy CIC team plus our students, past and present.

“As a values-led organisation, we recognise the impact of social investment and programmes such as Agent Academy CIC are put in place to nurture the potential and talent of our city’s young people. Agent believe in putting people at the heart of our organisation to unlock potential and to keep talent within the city.

“Already we’ve seen a number of our graduates enter full time employment within the marketing arena thanks to the experience, learning and connections gained from the Agent Academy. That’s the real award win in our opinion!”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community, said:

“The Responsible Business Awards celebrate the very best of business, so it is fitting to be announcing the shortlist today as part of Responsible Business Week, which raises awareness of business as a powerful force for good.

“We congratulate Agent Marketing for playing its part in creating a fairer society and more sustainable future. The shortlisted businesses publically demonstrate that business has a greater purpose then simply generating profit and are a great example to others.”

All shortlisted companies will be celebrated through a series of Responsible Business Gala events taking place across the UK in June.

Of the shortlisted companies, a number will be chosen as Award Finalists to present their programme to a select group of senior business professionals in May for the chance to be crowned as overall winner in each category. These Award Finalists will be announced on 2 June 2015.

Overall winners will be announced in London at Business in the Community’s Annual Responsible Business Gala Dinner, in partnership with 2014 Responsible Business of the Year National Grid, on 7 July 2015.

For further information about the 2015 shortlisted stories, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards.