Celebrating 10 years of B Corp UK – a green business revolution
Along with my partner business, Switchfoot Wealth, I’m delighted to be celebrating 10 years of B Corp in the UK. In fact, both businesses are delighted to be part of the ever-expanding group of 2,900 UK organisations with B Corp certification and an eco-friendly, sustainable business focus.
As of this month, B Corps represent more than one million workers in 162 global industries, building a powerful community of green businesses that put purpose first.
What is a B Corp?
As a business who has gone through the certification process, and supported a number of other businesses to do the same, I can confidently say that becoming B Corp certified makes a measurable difference to business success.
Administered by the non-profit B Lab UK on behalf of B Corp, certification is a rigorous verification of a company’s commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It’s what identifies your business to your customers as an ‘eco-friendly business’.
It shows that the business is meeting high standards across various areas, including governance, worker well-being, community engagement, and environmental impact.
B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment. Here’s how the co-founders of B Lab describe the movement in their Declaration of Interdependence:
“We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good. This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation – the B Corporation – Which is purpose driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe: That we must be the change we seek in the world. That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered. That, through their products, practices and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all. To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations. The universal values and aspirations of the Declaration of Interdependence have no borders, no native tongue, no spiritual or religious limitations, and draw inspiration from around the world.”
How being a B Corp improves business
The B Lab UK impact report, published to mark the 10th anniversary of B Corp in the UK, showed the following results for the country’s B Corp businesses:
- 20% turnover growth – almost seven times higher than all UK SMEs between 2024 and 2025.
- 54% led by gender-balanced teams – compared to just 25% of SMEs in 2023.
- 6bn kWh of renewable energy used since 2022.
- £38bn combined turnover across 120+ industries.
At Switchfoot Accounting, we are having more conversations with businesses who understand that B Corp certification is beneficial to their business, their people and their communities. These businesses want to do the right thing on every front, and they’re looking for accountants and advisers that understand B Corp principles and can guide them towards a successful certification process.
Having been involved in the certification of Switchfoot Wealth in 2021, recertification in 2024 and certifying Switchfoot Accounting in 2024, I have been through the process three times myself! I have seen the benefits of being able to show my commitment to sustainability in practice. And I’ve been actively involved in the B Corp community, where the exchange of ideas and practices is helping businesses of all sizes to grow with confidence.
Be part of the next 10 years of B Corp!
I know from conversations with businesses across the local area that ethical and sustainable business practices are at the forefront of many minds. Businesses want to become B Corp certified, but don’t know where to start. They also want to plan certification alongside more traditional business planning, so that everything is joined up.
I can help with all of this, and I’m keen to grow an invested B Corp community in Surrey and Hampshire. You can book an appointment with me now.