Discussing the benefits of B Corp certification in an Aito panel at the weekend, Tom Dunn, business development director, Wild Dog Design, revealed it had helped his company win business: “In a two-way pitch, it helped we were B Corp,” he said.

He described how his colleagues were sceptical when they first encountered B Corp, but feel pride now that the business is fully certified: “It has helped change our internal culture,” he said.

There are now 1,000 certified B Corps in the UK and 5,000 around the world in 84 countries, covering 157 industries. These are verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. 

Nick Clark, head of travel at Experience Travel Group, also agreed that seeking B Corp status had been beneficial: “We got it in July so it’s hard to tell how much it drives demand but it has cemented our fundamental belief that travel done well is a force for good and it’s given us a focus as a team that will give us a big competitive advantage over time.”

Together with James Mundy, PR & partnerships manager, Inside Travel Group, which is expecting to be B Corp certified early in the new year, the trio discussed how their businesses had approached the certification process. All three felt their businesses already had a sustainable focus but the certification process helped them take that further and gave them recognition.

Initial assessment costs £250 plus VAT, then certification fees are paid annually depending on the business size. They also detailed the typical amount of time that is required to evaluate your score as a business and work on increasing it to the threshold of 80 where you will be considered by independent assessment.

“It is a big commitment,” said Clark. “We got everyone involved in the business, but one person needs to drive it and keep you on track.”

Part of the commitment is being re-certified every three years. Mundy said: “That’s the point, being better as a business, and remaining better at everything you do.”