Collective Certifies as a B Corp
Global digital creative agency Collective has today been certified as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of global companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. Becoming a force for good in business and allowing it to work with more like-minded businesses.
Collective has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, the company will legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.
Research from B Labs also shows that becoming a B Corp can boost performance and help businesses grow.
Chris Shadrick, partner at Collective, said, “While it was a long journey it was an absolutely worthwhile and rewarding one. And a journey more brands and agencies should be taking. Cop27 brought to light just how important it is that we all work together to save this planet and being part of this group of businesses allows us to work more closely with like-minded companies. It allows us to show our client partners that we not only take the welfare of our people seriously but also of their people, and of all people.”
Chris Turner, executive director of B Labs UK, said, “We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from start-ups to multinationals and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrates that you can do good in any sector. Welcoming Collective is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the advertising industry. We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support them in paving the way for a new way of doing things”.
There are now 5,100 businesses globally that have been accepted as B Corporations, rising from 3067 B Corps in Oct 2019 to 3561 B Corps by Oct 2020.
The UK has also become the fastest growing B Corp community in the world with more than 700 in the UK, also hosts the global hub for most B Corps based in one location - London - with 300+.
The current B Corp community in the UK represents 51 industries, 41K+ employees and combined revenue of £13 billion+. Notable B corps include The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.
