B Corp Certification

We’ve started the year as we mean to go on, with the news that we are now B Corp Certified. We bring the total number of UK-based, architecture and design practices with Certification to 16, joining other leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

B Corporations are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. There are just over 5900 B Corps globally, with 1,460 of these based in the UK.

To become a B Corp, we undertook a rigorous review process that was assessed by B Lab. Applicants are required to achieve at least 80 points out of 200 across five assessment categories (Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers). We demonstrated that we met high standards on factors from employee benefits, customer service, collaboration and charitable giving to supply chain practices. We scored well above average across all categories and achieved an overall score of 95.3.

Andrew Rainford, Managing Director, said: “The B Corp Certification recognises the ethical and sustainable way we have conducted our business internally and externally for over 30 years. The application process required a real team effort over the past year and it’s great to see that hard work pay off. With so few UK-based, B Corps in the ‘Architecture design and planning’ industry, we’re delighted to now be counted amongst this leading group.”

Sustainability Manager, Peter Bartley, who led the process added: “The certification is testament to our commitment to positively impact all stakeholders — workers, communities, customers, and our planet – and ensure a benefit for all. As we work towards recertification in 3 years, being a B Corp will provide us with a framework for continuous improvement to further enhance our environmental and social performance.”

B Corp Certification is just the latest step we have taken towards ensuring the highest standards of sustainability across the practice and our operations. In 2020, we signed up to Architects Declare and in 2021 we joined the UN Race to Zero – committing to a long-term net zero goal of 2040. We also established our Sustainability Team to oversee corporate sustainability and launch our environmental assessment service offer to integrate sustainable design into our projects.