24 Brands For Good Recipients Recognised for Making a Positive Social Impact

SINGAPORE,July 30,2018 -- The recipients of the inaugural Brands for Good were feted at a recognition event hosted by CEO Asia. Brands for Good recognises the achievements of forward-looking companies,especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs),that champion corporate social responsibility (CSR). Sponsored by Maybank Singapore and BBX,the Brands for Good programme has eight categories-- spanning the Workplace,the Community,the Environment and Patents-- which recognised 24 companies spanning 33 awards.

Brands For Good Recognition Dinner 2018

"The success of Brands for Good is a good indication of how companies are increasingly embracing and recognising that we have a shared social responsibility," said Glenn Lim,chairman for the Brands for Good 2018 committee and director of CEO Asia."We hope that business will continue to leverage on Brands for Good to rally other leaders to initiate change,rather than wait for mandatory directives. As a community,we can take ownership of social and environmental issues and lead by example in our organisations and industries. Through purpose-driven strategies and corporate cultures that champion sustainable practices,we can effect real change."

Mr Marc Leong,Head of SME Banking at Maybank Singapore said,"In line with our mission of 'Humanising Financial Services',Maybank Singapore aims to grow the business and make a positive impact on the community. We demonstrate this in our business endeavours and preferential product pricing when financing businesses which pursue good causes,such as eco-friendly products. To grow in a sustainable manner,Maybank would like to foster an inclusive business community ecosystem,advocating more companies to integrate responsible and meaningful business practices into their business."

All Brands for Good entries were assessed by a panel of eight independent judges. Among the five winners in the Patent for Good category,which recognises innovations that have delivered value to the community,is Osteopore International. The medical device manufacturer was singled out for its bioresorbable and biomimetic implants,which provide patients with limb-salvaging options. The innovation has given hope to those who face the possibility of amputation,and in one case,it enabled a spina bifida patient who was unable to walk and had been forced to get around on all fours for years,to undergo physiotherapy and eventually learn to walk.

Kowabunga Holdings,the only company that was recognised as champion in two categories,in (1) Workplace: People Development and (2) Environment: Managing Environmental Impact categories. The staff at Kowabunga,which runs the Kidz Treehouse after school programme for children between 7 and 12,have well-defined professional pathways. They also receive support for training,which includes courses and overseas retreat programmes. At the same time,Kidz Treehouse seeks to be the exemplary institution in environmental sustainability and social responsibility and as an eco-inspired programme,Kidz Treehouse adheres to environmentally-friendly practices that address energy conservation,waste reduction,paper reduction and single-use plastic across its 12 centres. In addition,it also engages its students in its push for zero-waste though discussion and initiatives such as an annual Eco Camp.

Said Mr Taufiq Yahya,founder of Kowabunga: "At Kidz Treehouse,our teachers and staff represent the heart of the organisation. The management is committed in developing the core competencies of all its team members. Every quarter of the year,Kidz Treehouse organises Circle Time for its staff and team members which includes overseas retreat programmes. Circle Time focuses on team work and team bonding to encourage a positive working relationship for all stakeholders."

The winner of the Community: Social Giving and Engagement and Community: Diversity and Inclusiveness categories was Genashtim Innovative Learning,an e-learning provider. Genashtim,a Singapore based company,with employees in over 10 countries,provides sustainable gainful employment to people who otherwise have almost no opportunity to have a decent and dignified livelihood. Almost 90% of their 80-person staff had a disability or is unable to attain gainful employment. Genashtim has provided employment for refugees in Bogor,Indonesia who had been told by UNHCR that they do not have a chance for re-settlement for the next 25 years. As Genashtim continues to grow as a business,they continue to look for marginalised communities to connect to the global economy.

Said Mr Thomas Ng,founder of Genashtim,"We provide gainful employment to people who would otherwise have almost no access to a decent,dignified livelihood. We are pleased that we can offer these individuals the independence and pride that comes with being able to earn a living and we are honoured that Brands for Good recognises our efforts."

Brand For Good - Champions

1. Kowabunga! Education Pte. Ltd-- People Development & Managing Environmental Impact

2. Genashtim Innovative Learning Pte. Ltd.-- Diversity & Inclusiveness

3. Emergenetics Caelan & Sage Pte. Ltd.-- Culture and Communications

4. Mullenlowe Salt Singapore Pte. Ltd.-- Culture and Communications

Patent For Good - Honourees

1. Osteopore International Pte. Ltd.

2. AWAK Technologies Pte. Ltd.

3. Winner SG Pte. Ltd.

4. Wateroam Pte. Ltd.

5. Airmotion Laboratories Pte. Ltd.

Brands For Good- Honourees

1. Academy of Rock Pte. Ltd. -- People Development

2. Mullenlowe Salt Singapore Pte. Ltd. -- People Development

3. That's Innovative Pte. Ltd. -- People Development

4. Security & Risk Solutions Pte. Ltd. -- People Development

5. Emergenetics Caelan & Sage Pte. Ltd. -- People Development

6. 1.Care Employment Agency -- People Development

7. Security & Risk Solutions Pte. Ltd. -- Safe Work

8. Boxgreen Pte. Ltd -- Fair Employment Practices

9. Vision Strategy Storytelling Pte. Ltd. -- Fair Employment Practices

10.Myhelper Pte. Ltd -- Fair Employment Practices

11. Uncle Ringo Trading Pte. Ltd. -- Fair Employment Practices

12. Rev 22 Pte. Ltd. -- Fair Employment Practices

13. Food Playground Pte. Ltd -- Culture and Communications

14. D'Cake Pte. Ltd. -- Diversity & Inclusiveness

15. iFood Pte. Ltd. -- Diversity & Inclusiveness

16. Genashtim Innovative Learning Pte. Ltd -- Social Giving and Engagement

17. Uncle Ringo Trading Pte. Ltd. -- Social Giving and Engagement

18. Boxgreen Pte. Ltd. -- Sustainable Resource

19.Gashubunited Holding Private Limited -- Sustainable Resource

20. Winnow Solutions Asia Pte. Ltd. -- Sustainable Resource

21. Gashubunited Holding Private Limited -- Managing Environmental Impact

22. Winnow Solutions Asia Pte. Ltd. -- Managing Environmental Impact

23. Indochine Group Pte. Ltd. -- Managing Environmental Resource

Brands for Good is organised in partnership with non-profit organisation B Lab,which provides companies with a self-assessment toolkit on social responsibility commitment,as well as IPOS Society and non-profit organisation The Rice Company Limited. Brands for Good is also supported by organisations including the Asia Pacific CSR Council and the Singapore International Foundation. More information on Brands for Good is available at www.brandsforgood.asia.

About CEO Asia

CEO Asia is a positive impact organisation that supports like-minded businesses and the development of sustainable enterprises. Focusing on enterprises that intend to develop meaningful brands,CEO Asia's signature programme Brands for Good celebrates companies that are stewards of sustainable business practices which result in positive impact,while its CeoConnect is a membership secretariat service that supports entrepreneurs through business matching and networking.

About Maybank Singapore

Maybank is among Asia's leading banking groups and South East Asia's fourth largest bank by assets. The Maybank Group has an international network of 2,400 offices in 20 countries including all 10 Asean countries,with over 43,000 employees serving customers worldwide. Maybank Singapore is one of the Group's largest overseas operations. As at December 2017,Maybank's total assets in Singapore were approximately S$65.8 billion. With strategically located branches and 1,800 employees in Singapore,Maybank is well-positioned to provide highly personalised services and locally-oriented solutions that will deliver more value to customers. For more information,please visit maybank2u.com.sg.

About BBX

Established since 1993,BBX has grown to become the leading e-commerce global trading platform. At the core of BBX,it enables financial inclusion,transforming and evolving commerce for businesses regardless of size. It is a platform that gives 15,000+ businesses confidence to connect and trade globally over a digital trade credit settlement system that complements other traditional forms of payments and lowers your cost of business. BBX is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional and personal conduct through its corporate governance practices. Through a consolidation of technological advancements,BBX creates better ways to trade,optimize inventory supply,maximize business opportunities and improve business sustainability.

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