We’re thrilled to share that Carterwood is now a Certified B Corporation
This is a significant milestone in our journey toward greater social and environmental responsibility, and is a reflection of our commitment to using business as a force for good.
Led by our Finance Director, Jane Grimsted, we’ve worked diligently over the past 12 months to meet the rigorous standards required for B Corp certification, and we’re proud to share that we’ve achieved an outstanding score of 105.5 out of 200 (80 is the ‘pass’ mark, and the median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9)
We also sought the assistance of Andy Hawkins at Business on Purpose to guide us through the certification process. Andy also organises Purpose Fest, which we attended at Bristol Beacon earlier in March.
Click here to see our B Impact assessment breakdown in more detail >>
The idea of using business as a force for good has always been part of the DNA of social care, with providers delivering essential services to some of the most vulnerable in our society. More recently, as well as the social considerations, the importance of other factors such as environmental sustainability and responsible governance have risen up the agenda for everyone involved in funding, developing, or running care services.
B Corp certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate a shared mission to use business as a force for good. To achieve certification, organisations must pass a series of assessments in five key areas: governance, workers, customers, community, and environment.
Managing Director, Tom Hartley, says “One of our core values as a business is to ‘Do it right’, which made pursuing B Corp certification a no-brainer for us. We felt it was a good time to get a health check on our “ESG” credentials and think about things we could improve in line with our values. Our team felt strongly that thinking about the way we work and our impact was important and we are seeing more clients expecting this to be a key consideration too.”
“It’s not only a milestone for Carterwood but also a message to businesses across all sectors. B Corp isn’t reserved for trendy brands; it’s a blueprint for any organisation seeking to make a positive impact. By embracing this certification, we hope to inspire other businesses, especially those in less glamorous sectors, to join us in using business as a force for good. Sustainability and social responsibility should be universal goals, regardless of industry.”
We now join the ranks of approximately 120 other for-profit, mission-driven organisations across the local Bristol and Bath area, and 1800+ business across the UK who are committed to using their business for social and environmental good. Notable members of this community include Pukka Herbs, Finisterre, The Guardian Media Group, and Triodos Bank.
This is very much ‘just the beginning’ for Carterwood’s B Corp journey. We’re committed to learning, growing, and making a positive impact every step of the way, and look forward to the conversations that will open up over the coming year (and beyond!) as a result.
Click below to read our first of many annual Impact Reports.
