To B-Corp, or not, that’s the question at Summit

Hannah Cox

More businesses than ever are weighing up becoming a B-Corp as part of a drive to become more sustainable and ethical.

Delegates at the inaugural Better Business Summit held at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School today (Thursday the 19th of January)  heard from companies who have taken steps on the rigorous process to achieve the B-Corp certification.

Speaking of the barriers Kyle Soo, Partnerships and Product Manager at B Lab UK said: “Time and money are the two biggest challenges for businesses, especially in the current economic client.

“A lot of businesses are just fighting to survive, so it’s about how do we get them to look beyond the latest crisis and switch on to the wider climate crisis?”

Founded in 2015, B Lab UK is a non-profit network which aims to advance the B Corporation Movement in the UK.

Asked why it is important for businesses to measure their social and environmental performance he added: “The economic system is broken; we have systemic issues which have been exacerbated by the way that we operate.

“Our vision is an economic system which is regenerative, equitable and inclusive. The B-Corp movement is really gaining momentum as more and more people switch on to the need for change and putting businesses at the centre of that.”

He was joined on the Better Business Summit panel by Luke Broster of outdoor clothing brand Patagonia, often cited as the ultimate B-Corp given its approach to environmental production and campaiging for local causes. 

Also speaking was Graeme Heyes from Manchester Metropolitan University and Malin Cunningham of Hattrick.

Broster, retail store manager in Manchester, admitted he felt lucky to work for a brand like Patagonia which has a very clear mission.

“We are in business to save our planet and that informs every business decision that we make,” he told the packed auditorium.

Adding: “The retail store exists to be a gift to the community.”

Event organiser Hannah Cox, who also runs the Better Business Network, is a B Leader with three years’ experience. She has also developed a B-Corp Bootcamp course via her Manchester-based sustainable agency betternotstop.

Speaking to a specially recorded episode of the Northern Spin podcast at the event, she said: “We’ve heard from many B-Corp certified businesses today and it’s been a great way for delegates to knowledge share and grow their sustainable impact strategies.”

Discussing the wider event, she added: “Manchester is a centre of revolution.

“First it was the industrial revolution, then the social revolution, and now we want to be the epicentre of the impact revolution.”

The Better Business Summit saw more than 350 delegates and sponsors descend on Manchester city centre to create a better future for people and the planet.

Event sponsor Lucy Roue, managing director of Time and Tide Content, added: “Today has been a real eye-opener for me in terms of what help is out there for ethically conscious SMEs. 

“Yes, there are barriers to becoming B-Corp certified but you soon realise that everyone is on this journey together.

“I think events like this, especially in the North, are exactly what we need to keep best business practices at the top of everyone’s agenda.”

 

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