The B Corp scheme, which accredits businesses prioritising the planet and people alongside profit, was explored in a workshop at the convention, with Intrepid Travel, payments scheme Felloh and TTG Media among the B Corp businesses in attendance.

Rochelle Turner, Intrepid's B Corp impact manager and co-chair of the Travel By B Corp group of companies, said: “This isn’t about wokeism. This isn’t about a fringe element.

"This is because we actually believe purpose is driving profits within our businesses – and B Corp is helping drive greater profits. We are all looking to grow.”

Statistics from B Lab UK show SME B Corps in the UK are seeing average growth in annual turnover of nearly a quarter (24%) compared with a 3% average across all SMEs.

Will Bicknell, founder of fintech platform Felloh, said B Corp was a great indicator of a well-run business due to the evidence companies need to put forward to gain the accreditation.

“It is a well-recognised certification that is actually affecting the way that people make purchasing decisions,” he declared.

"It is a shorthand for people to understand a business has a purpose and is the kind of business I want to buy from – I can trust that third party endorsement and I’m not just relying on some sort of marketing message.”

Turner underlined how B Corp certification requires businesses to focus on a number of key principles: purpose and stakeholder governance; fair work; justice; equality, diversity and inclusion; human rights; climate action; environmental stewardship; and collective action.

TTG Media became a certified B Corp in 2023.