Barclays Commercial Bank is this week launching the Green Leaders in Business Awards, a search for UK and Ireland’s top businesses who are developing and implementing innovative new solutions to help protect the environment.

The Awards will recognise those companies who are using pioneering processes or new sustainable technology, products or services to help beat climate change and, crucially, boost their own profits.

Green Leaders in Business is open to all UK and Irish companies, and has three separate award categories – companies with a turnover below £1m; between £1m and £20m; and above £20m.

Barclays Commercial Bank marketing director, Richard French, said: “Our business leaders are the people who hold our future in their hands, and we are looking for forward thinking men and women who are finding innovative ways of doing business to build a new economy that is both realistic and sustainable.

“These leaders also know that ‘green business’ is good for profits and that being an effective operator in this area can make a real difference to their bottom line. Barclays Commercial Bank is delighted to have this opportunity to recognise their achievements.”

Companies wishing to enter the awards have until 9 May 2008 to complete and return their applications.

Marketing director of Barclays Local Business, John Davis, said: “We are looking for businesses – from sole traders to FTSE 100 companies - for whom ecology and economy are two sides of the same coin and whose values include making a positive difference to our environment while striving to make a profit at the same time

“Each company will need to demonstrate how their ‘eco-imagination’ has spawned new green products, services and systems that will help conserve dwindling resources and protect endangered environments, as well as boosting their own business success.”

Ten finalists will be invited to present to an expert judging panel, which includes The Carbon Trust, Bloomberg, the WWF and Tom Burke CBE who will decide the winners in the three business categories.

Winners will be announced at a gala luncheon for 250 guests in London in September 2008.

This event will also mark the launch of a limited edition book, spotlighting the pioneering accomplishments of all the winners and finalists.

Produced entirely from sustainable sources, it will be sent to government heads and influential figures around the world, showing how British business is leading the way in a new industrial revolution – one that promises to protect and preserve our planet.

Entry forms for the Awards are available throughout Barclays branches or on 0800 085 3203. Alternatively a copy can be downloaded from www.barclayscommercial.com/greenleaders.