Western Power Distribution, the electricity distribution company for South Wales, has been crowned Business of the Year at the Arts and Business Cymru Awards.

The awards took place at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, and are designed to encourage, acknowledge, reward and recognise innovative partnerships between the private sector and the arts which benefit Welsh communities.

WPD was an outstanding winner for the wide range of its arts partnerships that clearly communicate its business ethos, according to the independent judging panel.

They praised the ‘generosity of approach’ demonstrated in sponsoring different art forms and organisations, both large and small, and also felt WPD’s focus was distinct – with a clear commitment to the community it serves and the most vulnerable members of society within it.

They agreed that the many of its partnerships stood as a real role model of excellence in the field.

WPD also won the Brand Identity Award which recognised partnerships that demonstrated maximum impact on a business brand – in particular was the company’s focus on connecting with older people, many of whom are living with dementia, and its work in raising awareness of its Priority Services Register.