B Corporation Goes Local

As the B Corp phenomenon continues, coupled with a global drive for businesses to look beyond just profit, it is exciting to see Cornwall has launched its own B Local initiative. This is one of just six B Locals in the UK, with more to follow.

Any business in the world can strive to become a certified B Corporation; there are approximately 3,800 businesses globally, and now 396 certified in the UK. Major international names include Danone, Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, The Guardian & Observer, Jamie Oliver Group and Innocent.  Each business must demonstrate a genuine and continuous commitment to meaningful purpose.  And with increasing expectations of business from consumers, employees, suppliers and investors, it’s no surprise that B Corp is now seeing an explosion in the number of companies interested in certifying.

At the core of every B Local are Certified B Corporations, for-profit companies that use the power of business to create a shared and durable prosperity for all. B Locals exist to create connections, increase the positive impact of their B Corp community, and raise awareness of the benefits of a purpose-driven economy in their regions.

Here within Cornwall, 14 organisations have already certified and are helping drive the movement within the county. Their ambition is to build one of the largest B Corp communities in the UK outside of London, highlighting Cornwall’s progressive approach to modern-day, purposeful business. 

The 14 Cornwall businesses vary across all sectors and include Finisterre, Fluid Branding, Green & Blue, Gydeline, Leap, Made for Life Organics, Made Open, Origin Coffee, Resonance, Solve, Ward Williams Associates, Water Skills Academy, Wild West Communications and Voice Communications.  The B Local is being co-chaired by Matt Hocking founder of Cornwall’s first B Corp, Leap, and Russell Cosway from recently accredited, Gydeline.

To mark the new B Local Cornwall initiative, a digital kick-off event is taking place on Wednesday March 10th at 3-4.30 pm.  The group is inviting all business leaders and employees to get involved in order to better understand B Corp and what it could mean to them.  The event will include guest speaker Tom Kay, founder of Finisterre – an early B Corp adopter; as well as a panel and Q&A session from the wider group including Amanda Barlow, Managing Director of Made for Life Organics and the team at Ward Williams Associates. B Lab UK, the not-for-profit behind B Corp, will also be in attendance.

This event coincides with global B Corp Month (March) and is the first of a number of events which the B Local group will be hosting over the coming year. 

Co-Chair Matt Hocking says, “We want the B Local in Cornwall to help progressive businesses realise the importance of balancing their people, the planet and prosperity for all.  We want to demystify the journey of becoming a B Corporation, encouraging all those interested in becoming a force for good.  Together we can discover new and innovative ways of creating an enduring future for our staff and customers while maintaining balanced profits and loving the world we all inhabit.”

For further information check out the B Local LinkedIn page and register here for the free event.

Details on the event:
When: Wednesday 10th March,15.00-16.30
Where: Zoom
Who should attend: Anyone interested in using business as a force for good.

Please register your free space to let us know you’re coming along – thank you.
Full link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/141762787313/