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Testimonials

ARENA Network History

ARENA Network emerged from a development project under the auspices of Business in the Community in Wales and was incorporated as a limited company and registered charity in 1995:

• Mar 1993 “ARENA Wales ‘93” launched at 6 venues around Wales
  [ARENA – Awareness Review & Environmental Action – project title]
• Nov 1993 “ARENA Network” launched
  [Merging with the Environmental Managers Network which was set up in July 1992 and funded by the former Welsh Office]
• Jul 1995 ARENA Network established as a limited company (No: 3080524) and registered charity (No: 1048515)

Highlights over the years:

• 1995/6: Change of name to the ‘Wales Environment Centre’, based at The QED Centre in Treforest and officially launched by William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Wales.
• 1996/7: Membership exceeds 300, ERDF project funding secured, first in UK to hold Packaging Waste Conferences for business with DETR, 2nd MORI opinion survey commissioned and environmental management systems programme continues to expand.
• 1997/8: Over 200 companies participating in projects, Wrexham office opened by Peter Hain MP, Minister of State, Welsh Office, Wales Environment Centre website launched and Rover ‘supply chain’ conference attracts over 150 delegates.
• 1998/9:500th member, 1st Wales Environment Awards held, ‘Wales Waste Management Centre launched, company first to achieve ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 with certificates presented by Rachael Lomax (Permanent Secretary, Welsh Office) and income exceeds £1m.
• 1999/2000: 4th office opened in Swansea, training services launched, expansion of environmental management systems programme and Wales Environment Awards configured on 2 venues with satellite link
• 2000/1: Relocation to ARENA Network training centre at Treforest, Objective 1 project approved (£3.17m), North Wales Waste Network programme completed & conference hosted by Dafydd Wigley MP, awarded Investors in People Standard, training courses receive IEMA approval, ranked No. 36 in Wales Fast Growth Top 50 companies and runner-up in UK National Water Efficiency Awards.
• 2001/2: Development of the Green Dragon Environmental Standard, Wales Environment Awards combines with National Business & Environment Conference, MORI opinion survey published, ISO 9001 & 14001 extended across all offices and income exceedes £1.7m
• 2002/3: “Welsh Small Business of the Year” award, 80 Green Dragon certificates on 1st anniversary of launch, new training programme funded, designated as ‘lead body’ in the Business & Environment Action Plan, Andrew Davies (Minister for Economic Development) presents first Level 5 Green Dragon certificates.
• 2003/4: Successful delivery of first Objective 1 Programme, 222 Green Dragon certificates issued, research report awarded RMC ‘Beacon Status’, business & environmental coordinators (BECs) in place in almost all Local Authorities, Rhodri Morgan, First Minister, provides the foreword for the 6th Wales Environment Awards and turnover greater than £2m
• 2004/5: 400 Green Dragon certificates issued, Wales Environment Awards increases from 8 categories to 16 categories of award & also designated as one of the 5 official feeder schemes to the European Business Awards for the Environment, new programmes launched on ‘business & sustainability’, biodiversity and resource efficiency
• 2005/6: 700 Green Dragon certificates issued, major ‘Sustainability & Wales Conference’ organised with leading UK & International speakers, >500 guests attend the Annual Awards dinner, >3000 people on training courses, 4th MORI opinion survey issued, relocated to new offices at Pencoed near Bridgend, secured a number of new contracts with UK business support programmes, management systems upgraded to ISO 14001 (2004) to add to previous upgrade of ISO 9001 (2000) and the company won the Community Award at the Severnside ‘Annual Recycling Awards 2005’ and, additionally, was a finalist & runner-up in the medium sized business category in the ‘Achievement Wales Business Awards 2005’. SMAS (Sustainability Management & Audit Scheme) development work progresses with participant companies.
• 2006/7: Around 850 Green Dragon certificates issued.  The Business Environment Co-ordinator Network goes from strength to strength – 4000 companies assisted by 2006, 1000 of which had been given in-depth advice.  MAP-IS (now called NISP Wales) launched April 2006. Welsh Assembly Government and National Assembly for Wales presented with Green Dragon Level 5 certificates.   New ARENA Network website and membership services launched.   Annual awards rebranded “Wales Business & Sustainability Awards” to reflect greater importance of sustainability - inclusion of 5 “themes” in awards, dedicated website developed and new trophy designed. 
• 2007/8 so far: Green Dragon Scheme receives UKAS accreditation and new business set up - ANI Management Systems - to inspect both the Green Dragon Environmental Standard® and BS8555.  10th Anniversary of Wales Business & Sustainability Awards - video of 10 years shown at ceremony - runners up receive popular slate plaque for first time.  SMAS website launched.  More to come…!