MP Michael Tomlinson has praised a Corfe Mullen business that was runner-up in a prestigious competition when it was up against major companies including M&S and Heineken UK.

Lesley Shand Funeral Directors had previously won East Dorset District Council’s Best Business in the Community award and was nominated for this national competition by Mr Tomlinson.

The All Party Corporate Responsibility Group’s ‘Responsible Business Champion’ title was fought over by 20 major companies from across the country – many of them household names.

The awards were introduced in 2015 to encourage MPs to take a closer look at companies in their constituencies and to consider the extent to which they are operating responsibly.

Lesley Shand is a long-standing company in Corfe Mullen. Its premises are currently being rebuilt and will include facilities that will benefit the whole community. The business is part of Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors, which has eight branches in the county.

Mr Tomlinson, the MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said, “I was delighted to have nominated Lesley Shand for this national award. I know that the All Party Group received a record number of nominations this year, and I am particularly pleased that the good work of Lesley Shand has been recognised.

“A wide variety of companies from across the UK were nominated by MPs, from small high street businesses to large companies. Their activities range from hairdressing and insurance to forestry, hospitality and motor-racing. The one thing they have in common is their commitment to their customers, employees and communities – and Lesley Shand is no exception.”

Nick Douch, managing director of the group, said, “Winning the Best Business Supporting the Community award was much deserved for the branch. And, the nomination for the national award was very unexpected – especially as brands such as Pfizer Ltd and Zurich Insurance were in the mix.

“…Across the group we try and do our bit, whether that is sponsoring sports clubs, leagues and events; holding bereavement group sessions; organising community functions or doing charity work. Like Lesley Shand, many of our branches have been around for a long time and we feel it is our responsibility to help in the community which we have served for so long.”

Branches within the Douch Family Funeral Directors group include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand. They’re based in Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Upton, Wimborne, Swanage, Blandford and Corfe Mullen.

Zurich Insurance was named winners of the All Party Group award.