Home Retail Group  |  Press release

Home Retail Group, the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer, was presented with the CIPP Payroll Giving Award at the 10th Annual Payroll and Pensions Excellence Awards, held at Celtic Manor in Wales on Thursday 26th September. The Group, which owns well know retail brands Argos and Homebase, was recognised for its unwavering commitment to the scheme which sees colleagues donate over £30,000 every month to charity via payroll.

The awards hosted by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals recognise individuals and organisations in the industry who demonstrate payroll and/or pensions excellence. Praise was given to Home Retail Group's dedication to maximising participation in Payroll Giving, which allows Argos and Homebase colleagues to give to any charity of their choice tax-free direct from their pay. 

The Group's engagement strategy includes match funding on first donations, paying administration fees on behalf of employees and awareness visits to locations nationwide.  The level of participation qualified Home Retail Group for the Government endorsed Platinum Quality Mark in 2012 and the Group were the only large retailer to achieve this accolade.

Ceri Wootton, Community Relations Manager at Home Retail Group said: "Payroll Giving has always been a cornerstone of our community programme and colleague benefits package. To be recognised for our on-going commitment is tremendous, and a great acknowledgement to all those who participate. A main driver to the success is the in-store visits, carried out by Hands On Helping, which ensure all colleagues know about this benefit available to them."

Hands On Helping launched Payroll Giving within Home Retail Group in 2005, in close collaboration with Charities Trust, the Payroll Giving Agency that administers the scheme for the employer.  Hands On Helping makes annual visits into all Argos and Homebase stores to deliver clear messaging about Payroll Giving, with appropriate links to corporate charity activity, whilst Charities Trust are responsible for directing funds to the relevant good causes.

Wendy Tapping, Chief Executive of Hands On Helping said: "The CIPP awards were fabulous and we're thrilled that Home Retail Group has been accredited this prestigious recognition by payroll experts. Home Retail Group has always been very supportive of the scheme, with great ideas to help innovate Payroll Giving to the benefit of hundreds of charities nationwide."

Linda Minnis, Chief Executive of Charities Trust said: "This award is recognition of the efforts of Home Retail Group and its generous employees, proudly supported by Charities Trust and Hands on Helping. Payroll Giving is such a great opportunity to make charitable donations easily and tax efficiently. The support that the staff of the group have shown for this scheme is exceptional and ultimately means more money regularly goes to charities and good causes."

Home Retail Group now look towards this year's National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards with the newly released 'Best Accomplished Sustained Scheme' category.  Nominations are open until 18th October 2013, with the ceremony due to be held at HM Treasury on 3rd December.

-ENDS- 

Note to Editor
For further information please contact:

Penny Tapping, Campaigns Director, Hands On Helping
01433 621882
07736 63014
Penny@hands-on-helping.co.uk

Home Retail Group
Home Retail Group is the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer with sales of around £5.5 billion in the financial year to February 2013. They sell products under three distinct and complementary retail brands - Argos, Homebase and Habitat. The Group employs some 48,000 people across the business. For more information visit www.homeretailgroup.com.

Hands on Helping
Hands On Helping is the UK's leading Professional Fundraising Organisation (PFO) raising funds for charity by promoting Payroll Giving.  The organisation works with employers large and small to deliver bespoke campaigns, suited to the business environment to achieve maximum employee engagement in Payroll Giving. 

Charities Trust
Are a national charity and not-for-profit organisation managing payroll giving and corporate donations for companies large and small. Every day they work to help those who give, give more. Charities Trust ensures more of every £1 donated reaches the charities for which it was intended.

They manage £multi-million annual appeals and offer a range of fundraising products and services, and are approved by HM Revenue & Customs as a payroll giving agency. They are registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and are licensed by the Gambling Commission to promote society lotteries.

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