The B Local North East event, powered by Muckle LLP, brought together a diverse group of businesses and professionals to explore how enterprises can drive positive social and environmental change. The event featured engaging talks, interactive discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, all centred around the principles of the B Corp movement and the impact businesses can have on society.
Understanding B Corp Certification
B Corp certification is awarded to for-profit companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. The certification process involves a detailed assessment across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. As of 2024, over 8,000 companies across 84 countries and 157 industries are part of the B Corp community, reflecting the growing global shift towards responsible business practices.
Event Overview
The event began with an introduction from Jessica Williams and Gemma Brannen, Co-Chairs of B Local North East. They highlighted the importance of B Corp Month and the role of “Gen B,” a new generation of businesses dedicated to using commerce for good. Their message focused on the UK B Corp movement’s goal for all businesses to contribute to positive change by the end of the decade, creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Lightning Talks
A series of Lightning Talks provided in-depth insights into the key pillars of the B Corp framework:
- Michelle Cooper (Point North) discussed the critical role of community foundations, particularly in the North East, one of the UK’s most disadvantaged regions. She shared how businesses can support local communities and align with the B Corp commitment to positive social impact.
- Smart Carbon focused on direct and indirect emissions, especially within supply chains. They highlighted an example from Newcastle Hospitals, where two-thirds of emissions come from procurement. Their talk emphasised the importance of involving suppliers in sustainability efforts, which aligns with B Corp’s focus on environmental stewardship.
- Jenny Davidson (Newcastle University Visiting Fellow) explored the human aspect of sustainability, referencing the UN’s Six Transformations for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She discussed how knowledge, context, and structured processes are vital for driving meaningful change, reflecting the B Corp emphasis on employee welfare and development.
- Hugh Welch (Muckle LLP) shared insights into the B Corp certification process, explaining how it offers businesses a structured framework to assess and improve their social and environmental impact. He encouraged businesses to view the certification journey as an opportunity for continuous improvement, helping them become more accountable and transparent.
Applying B Corp Principles
The event’s key highlights was the Exchange Tables session, where participants engaged in small-group discussions about applying B Corp principles to their businesses. Each group focused on one of the four core B Corp pillars: Community, Environment, People, and Customers. These discussions provided an opportunity to share experiences, address challenges, and gather practical advice on implementing B Corp principles.
During the Community Discussion, participants explored meaningful ways businesses can contribute locally through initiatives such as pro bono work, grant-giving programmes, and systematically tracking contributions relative to company size. A significant insight emerged that community involvement delivers the greatest impact when integrated into a company’s cultural fabric rather than being treated as isolated initiatives.
In the Environment Discussion, attendees shared practical strategies for engaging employees in sustainability efforts both professionally and personally. Suggestions ranged from removing under-desk bins to adopting sustainable packaging solutions and offering electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes. The conversation emphasised building collaborative relationships with suppliers to establish environmental standards, with many advocating for prioritising local environmental investments over distant carbon offsetting projects.
The People Discussion touched on the creation of truly inclusive workplaces where company values align meaningfully with employee motivations. Participants highlighted the importance of empowering staff through community engagement opportunities and transparent communication channels. A compelling takeaway was the recognition that weaving company values throughout the entire employee journey, from initial onboarding through ongoing professional development, fosters a deeper sense of purpose and significantly enhances retention rates.
During the Customer Discussion, business leaders examined approaches for educating clients about incorporating sustainability into purchasing decisions. The group explored methods for making sustainable choices more financially accessible, emphasised the benefits of prioritising local suppliers, and discussed how to lead by example despite resource constraints. A particularly thought-provoking point was the concept of empowering employees to decline new client relationships based on ethical considerations, reinforcing the importance of values-based business practices.
Looking Ahead
The B Local North East event highlighted the transformative potential of the B Corp movement in reshaping the way we measure business success. By adopting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, businesses can play a key role in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy. The event demonstrated the growing community of businesses committed to this cause and encouraged others to start their own B Corp journey.
As businesses continue on their B Corp path, they are shaping the future of commerce by prioritising people, the planet, and profit in equal measure.
The link to the B Local Mailing list is here: B Local Registration
And the next B Social in April is here: Select tickets – Newcastle B Social – Full Circle Brew Co
