NORTHUMBRIAN Water Group is celebrating after overcoming competition from some of the biggest names in industry to claim victory at a UK awards ceremony.

The water company won the UK Excellence Award 2018 at the British Quality Foundation (BQF) UK Excellence Awards.

The Princess Royal and patron of BQF was guest of honour at the event and presented Northumbrian Water Group with the award.

The firm was also given a special double commendation for its ‘Rainwise' and ‘Every Drop Counts' schemes in the Innovation in Sustainability and Society category.

Heidi Mottram, chief executive of Northumbrian Water Group (NWG), said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Northumbrian Water Group and our incredible people have been recognised with these awards.

"It is a huge honour and really serves as testimony to the tireless effort, innovative approach and progressive solutions we employ right across our organisation."

"I am proud that Northumbrian Water Group will take its place among some of the biggest names in UK industry as winners of the UK Excellence Awards and would like to pay tribute to our employees, without whom we would not have been shortlisted."

Northumbrian Water Group had been shortlisted for four projects, competing across three categories: Innovation in Sustainability and Society, for its ‘Rainwise' and ‘Every Drop Counts' schemes; Innovation and Employee Engagement; and the blue riband Overall UK Excellence Award, one of the highest accolades any business or organisation can receive.

In Innovation in Sustainability and Society, NWG showcased ‘Every Drop Counts' its largest ever water saving campaign across its northern and southern operating regions, and ‘Rainwise', a unique and innovative programme across its northern operating region, that builds resilience and reduces risk of flooding by working with communities and partners.

Ms Mottram added: "Both of these ground-breaking campaigns are delivering huge impact and long may that continue. They are incredibly innovative and have helped us engage with our customers to benefit them, ourselves and the environment.

"Through Every Drop Counts, we are helping to save millions of gallons of water every year and also helping to educate our customers on the beneficial environmental impact of responsible water usage.

"Rainwise has also helped us to engage with communities across our region and has been hugely beneficial in reducing flood risk in key areas, both reactively and proactively, by working closely with our partners and with communities."