Marketing strategy agency secures B Corp status
Exeter-based marketing strategy agency Optix Solutions has been awarded B Corp certification.
This milestone places Optix among a growing community of businesses redefining success by prioritising social and environmental impact.
Managing director Rob Stevens said: “When I joined Optix in 2019, sustainability was already part of the company’s DNA – from nurturing biodiversity through a wildflower meadow to achieving NHS ‘Mindful Employer’ certification. We’ve since built on these foundations to create a business that truly embodies the B Corp ethos.”
In 2020, Optix partnered with the University of Exeter’s Sustainability Programme to implement measures to reduce its environmental footprint. These included switching to LED lighting, installing water diffusers, and improving waste management.
A year later, Optix made the ‘Race to Net Zero’ pledge, working with external auditor SWMAS to conduct a carbon footprint audit. This led to further improvements, such as transitioning to a renewable energy tariff and enhancing energy efficiency.
The audit, plus other positive developments including becoming a certified Living Wage employer, training three internal mental health first aiders and achieving top four success in Campaign’s Best Places to Work awards served as catalysts in the decision to apply for B Corp certification.
There was an unexpected setback when Optix initially fell short of the pass mark. “The application process is complex, and we hadn’t grasped the intricacies,” Stevens said. “We sought expert guidance to refine our submission, ultimately earning an impressive score of 95.1, a really strong result and one that we’re all proud of.”
Optix Co-founder Alastair Banks said: “Joining the B Corp community is a proud moment for us. It not only validates our efforts but also connects us with a network of businesses sharing our values. We’ve always put a high importance on our purpose, so to learn how to be better from other ‘B Corpers’ is really exciting.”
