Our B Corp Journey

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Using Business as a Force for Good

A Certified B Corporation, or B Corp for short, is a business that meets high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

When we became a B Corp in 2022, we joined a worldwide movement of businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose. For us, this wasn’t just about getting a certification – it was about formalising our belief that business can, and should, be a force for positive change.

On this page, we share our B Corp journey – why we started, what we’ve achieved and where we’re heading. It’s a story of how we’re turning our commitment to better business into real, measurable impact; not just within BKL but across our industry and beyond.

Read on to discover how we’re putting these principles into practice every day, from supporting our people and communities to reducing our environmental impact and helping our clients do the same.

At a glance

  • Certified since: September 2022
  • Overall B Impact Score: 83.6
  • Score projected to improve to 92.0 in 2024
  • Pioneering for positive change in the accountancy sector and beyond
Read our latest Impact Report

OUR STORY: WHY WE BECAME A B CORP

Our journey to B Corp certification began during the challenges of lockdown. We discovered that focusing on human connections and genuine care for our people led to better outcomes – even in difficult circumstances. This experience showed us there was a better way to do business, one that puts people and purpose at the heart of decision-making.

 

As a leading accountancy firm, we recognised our unique position to influence positive change. The B Corp framework provided us with a robust structure to measure and improve our impact across all areas of our business – from employee wellbeing and community engagement to environmental sustainability and ethical governance.

 

It wasn’t just about getting a certification; it was about joining a global movement of businesses using their influence to create positive change.

Myfanwy Neville

Partner, Head of Governance & Sustainability

“What we found during lockdown was that the way of doing business that we’d always done, which is focused on numbers and data and facts, wasn’t working, because everybody was going through a human experience at the time.

We realised we needed to fundamentally change our approach to business, and the B Corp framework offered us exactly what we were looking for – a proven way to put people and purpose at the heart of everything we do.”

OUR IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS: APRIL 2023 - MARCH 2024

People first

  • 7 new family-friendly policies created
  • 102 employees now own shares through our Employee Benefit Trust
  • 4 new employees joined through LTSB social mobility partnership
  • 48 long-term employees celebrated for 10+ years of service

Planet positive

  • Switched to 100% renewable electricity
  • Increased recycling by 127%
  • Added 9 new electric cars through our employee scheme
  • Offset 65 tonnes of carbon emissions through social regeneration projects

Community Impact

  • £55,640 donated by The BKL Foundation
  • 690 good deeds completed through the OnHand platform
  • 33 new charity and not-for-profit clients welcomed
  • 2 annual volunteering days introduced for every employee

Better Business

  • Appointed an independent Chair to strengthen governance
  • Developed Good Work Code for client relationships
  • Created 5 new roles focused on People and Planet
  • Quarterly Skills Workshops with 88% immediate application rate

OUR KEY COMMITMENTS

Being a B Corp means committing to continuous improvement across every aspect of our business. We regularly assess our progress, set ambitious goals, and hold ourselves accountable through transparent reporting.

 

Below are just some of the ways we’re turning our commitments into action across three key areas: caring for our environment, supporting our people and communities, and ensuring robust governance in everything we do.

Environmental Stewardship

We’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact through concrete actions:

  • Regular carbon footprint monitoring and reduction
  • Smart Travel policy to encourage lower-carbon choices
  • Comprehensive waste reduction strategy
  • Energy-efficient workplace initiatives

Social Responsibility

Our commitment to people extends beyond our team:

  • Enhanced family-friendly policies
  • Partnership with social mobility organisations
  • Active community engagement
  • Regular employee training and development

Good Governance

We’re building better business practices through:

  • Independent oversight
  • Transparent reporting
  • Ethical client relationships
  • Regular stakeholder engagement

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re committed to continuous improvement across all areas of our impact. Our projected B Impact Score improvement to 92.0 reflects our ongoing dedication to being a force for good in business.

As we grow, we’re focusing on several key initiatives to amplify our positive impact. We’re developing a comprehensive ‘Smart Travel’ policy, investigating energy-efficient home working solutions, and implementing waste reduction strategies across all our offices. We’re also expanding our community reach through the BKL Foundation and strengthening our commitment to social mobility through partnerships like LTSB.

Rebecca Jackson

Impact Project Manager

“Being a B Corp isn’t just about maintaining standards – it’s about constantly pushing ourselves to do better. We’re especially excited about our plans to develop stronger ESG-focused supplier relationships and our commitment to having responses from suppliers representing 80% of our supplier spend to our new Supplier Code of Conduct by September 2025. These are the kinds of tangible goals that help us turn our values into measurable impact.”

 

COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY: READ OUR LATEST IMPACT REPORT

Transparency is a fundamental part of being a B Corp. That’s why we’re proud to publish our annual Impact Report, offering our stakeholders – from employees and clients, to community partners and fellow B Corps – an honest account of our journey. The report shares both our achievements and our learnings, celebrating progress while acknowledging where we still have work to do.

Lee Brook

CEO

“Our Impact Report is more than just a collection of achievements – it’s a roadmap for our ongoing journey towards creating lasting, positive change. I invite you to explore our story and join us in our exciting mission to redefine the meaning of success in business.”

Beyond Balance Sheets: A Year of Purposeful Growth

BKL Impact Report April 2023 – March 2024

Discover how we’re turning purpose into action.

Read our latest impact report

READY TO START YOUR OWN B CORP JOURNEY?

Contact our sustainability experts today to discuss how we can help you turn sustainability challenges into opportunities
for growth, including supporting you through the journey to becoming a Certified B Corporation.

Looking for B Corp guidance and support?

We’ll help you navigate your sustainability journey, whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your impact to the next level.

Book a consultation today

 

Want to learn more about our sustainability services?

Our first-hand experience shapes how we support our clients – with practical, proven solutions that deliver lasting value.

Visit our sustainability page

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