Two purpose-driven organisations came together for a night of recognition and inspiration at this year’s BIZX Awards, with Lance Hill, CEO of Eight Group, named CEO of the Year – and the Buddy Bag Foundation winning Best Community Impact for their incredible work supporting children in crisis.
The evening celebrated not only individual achievement and community impact but also the power of collaboration between businesses and charities that share a common purpose.
Eight Group and the Buddy Bag Foundation have worked closely together over the past year, united by a shared commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change. As part of this partnership, the Eight Group team took part in a Buddy Bag packing session earlier this year – an unforgettable day that saw the 65,000th bag packed by volunteers. These bags, filled with essential items, are delivered to children fleeing domestic violence across the UK.
You can read more about the day here: Eight Group Help Pack the 65,000th Buddy Bag. While Buddy Bag is not a certified B Corp themselves, they actively seek to partner with values-led businesses like Eight Group, a proud Certified B Corporation that uses business as a force for good. These partnerships are vital in helping the charity extend its reach and deepen its community impact.
Both organisations are also supported by Anu Khanna, a respected leadership coach who works with both teams to foster strong, purpose-driven leadership cultures.
“We genuinely love supporting the Buddy Bag Foundation—it’s a cause that resonates deeply with our team,” said Lance Hill, “so for both of us to be recognised at the same event was incredibly special. It really reinforces the common ground we share and the impact we can make when purpose brings people together.”
Karen Williams OBE, founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, added: “To receive this recognition alongside one of our most supportive partners was a real highlight. Our collaboration with Eight Group—and packing our 65,000th bag together—is a powerful example of what we can achieve when businesses and charities unite around shared values.”
The BIZX Awards highlighted what can happen when leadership, purpose, and partnership come together—and Eight Group and the Buddy Bag Foundation are just getting started.
