Chestertons has once again been recognised for its ongoing success in engaging employees with the payroll giving fundraising initiative and become one of only a small percentage of companies across the country to be awarded a Diamond Quality Mark.

The Payroll Giving Quality Mark is a benchmarking system attributed by the Government, recognising the efforts of employers that have supported their employees’ charitable contributions throughout the year.

The Diamond Quality Mark is a new category introduced this year to honour 30 years of payroll giving and the significant impact payroll givers have had on charities.

Having launched Payroll Giving in 2006, Chestertons has become the only agent to be awarded a Platinum Quality Mark award twice in a row, having won Best Promotional Partnership at the 2017 National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards and this year reached the new Diamond level.

A third (32%) of employees at Chestertons are now giving regularly to 66 different charities in the UK from their pay, making an average donation of £9.18 per month.

In addition, Chestertons has started ‘matched giving’ this year to boost all employees’ donations.

Giles Milner, marketing director for Chestertons and also chairman of the employee-led ‘Charity Champions’ committee, said: “We try and encourage all our staff to give something back to the community in whatever way they can, whether that’s through fundraising, volunteering or raising awareness.

“As a company, we are focused on making a difference and having a real impact, and we hope to inspire others to follow our lead.

“We have achieved a great level of engagement through take-up of the scheme in the last year and we aim to reach over 40% participation by 2019. Payroll giving is one of the most successful initiatives that we have implemented to help make it easier for employees to donate and support a charity of their choice.

“We are all incredibly proud of our Diamond Quality Mark award. It’s a great accomplishment.”

As well as Payroll Giving, Chestertons raised over £20,000 last year through fundraising activities for its charity partner, St Mungos, and other good causes.