We're a certified B Corporation
B Corporations are companies using business as a force for good.
The certification is independently awarded, constantly reviewed and a real indication that you’re doing things the right way.
What is B Corp?
B Corp is a status awarded by a non-profit organisation called B Lab, that was started in 2006 as a way to help companies maximise the positive impact of their business. It includes inspirational brands like Patagonia, TOMS, KeepCup, Tony’s Chocolonely, Riverford Organic Farmers, Much Better Adventures and Intrepid. (In case you’re wondering, the B came from “be the change you want to see”.)
How do you become B Corp certified?
Being B Corp means that everything about your company has been examined and approved, from your ownership structure to your suppliers and the sustainability of your offices. The application process is extremely thorough and passing it proves that your company has a deep commitment to changing not just the way they do business, but the way business is done all over the world.
What is our B Corp score?
Every member of the B Corp community is given a score based on all the points checked in their application. The areas examined are Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The minimum score for acceptance is 80 and ours is 122.3. For context, fellow Bristolians Pukka Herbs score 104.1, Hobbs House Bakery 91.1 and Greenhouse PR 95.9. The score is reviewed every three years and we’re looking to drive ours up by examining everything about how we work.
What makes us B Corp?
We scored very well for our company structure, particularly being under employee ownership and having the Sawday Trust, which uses its share of profits to support environmental causes, as part owners. Initiatives like our mission to plant 1,000,000 trees by 2025, our drive towards becoming a carbon neutral office and our support for independent businesses contributed too.
Everything we do goes back to helping small-scale accommodation providers thrive in an industry that increasingly seems designed to marginalise them. To be recognised for that and become part of a community that shares our values is extremely rewarding.
Top 5% in the world for workers
One of the things we’re most proud of was how highly we scored for staff wellbeing and happiness, with B Corp putting us in the top 5% in the world for workers. This is down to more than having a lot of cake and dogs (as well as a grand piano) in the office. It’s the result of a deep commitment to mental health and work/life balance, with flexible working hours, a counselling scheme, volunteering days and other initiatives all contributing to making us a great place to work.
The Better Business Act
We are supporting the Better Business Act and have joined a coalition of over 1,000 companies calling for Section 172 of the Companies Act to be amended to force companies to consider the interests of society and the environment alongside those of shareholders. Find out more here – https://betterbusinessact.org/