FairPensions is delighted to announce that we were highly commended at The Charity Awards 2010, the UK charity sector's most prestigious awards scheme.

We were shortlisted in the ‘Animals and the environment' category for our work in encouraging investors to use the power of their shareholdings to press companies to act more responsibly towards the environment. In particular, the judges recognised our recent work persuading investors to support shareholder resolutions calling for a review of BP and Shell's investments in the Canadian tar sands, a highly environmentally damaging way to extract oil.

Daniel Phelan, organiser of the Charity Awards 2010 comments:

"The Charity Awards recognise and reward the fantastic work that takes place within the voluntary sector right across the UK and beyond. It's so important that we acknowledge the achievements of voluntary organisations because it applauds the people who are least likely to expect any recognition but most likely deserve it.

Over the years, many wonderful charities, large and small, have been recognised by the Charity Awards, highlighting the major and selfless contribution they make to society and the huge effort and commitment that goes into making them work. By being short-listed, FairPensions has ... demonstrated that it is amongst the best-managed charities in the UK."

Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of FairPensions states:

"Our tar sands campaign not only shines a spotlight on the devastating environmental and social impacts of Canadian oil extraction, but shows that major shareholders can be a powerfully positive influence on corporate behaviour. We are hugely proud that the campaign has been recognised by the Charity Awards. It's a terrific boost to FairPensions and to thousands of our supporters around the country who took action to make the campaign a success."

The Charity Awards 2010 was organised by Charity Finance and the panel of judges includes John Low CBE, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, Maeve Sherlock OBE, former chief executive of the Refugee Council, Dame Jo Williams, former chief executive of Mencap, Paul Winter, chief executive of The Leadership Trust, and Dame Mary Marsh, founding Director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme and former Chief Executive of the NSPCC.

Find out more about our tar sands campaign.