London accountants BKL has secured B Corporation status. It is believed to be the largest accountancy firm to achieve the high standards required to qualify as a B Corp.
B Corps are a worldwide community of businesses that meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Lab, a US-based not-for-profit network, provides this certification. The B stands for Benefit for all.
As part of BKL’s long-term commitment to making a difference, the firm began its B Corp application process in 2021. It involved the firm assessing its impact on its people, clients, communities and the environment in detail. It has, the firm said, helped us to better understand our ESG (environmental, social and governance) responsibilities.
“In developing BKL’s approach to good business, we had set ourselves the target of achieving B Corp Certification by 2026. Thanks to the dedication of our team and the work that we’ve put into becoming a sustainable business, we’re delighted to have reached that milestone much sooner,” BKL’s Managing Partner Lee Brook told The Professionals.
“As a people business, we’re also proud to have earned an Impact Business Model from B Lab during the assessment process in recognition of our focus on developing our employees. An IBM is a rare achievement among B Corps.”
Myfanwy Neville, Partner and Head of ESG at BKL, adds: “As professional advisers, we understand our responsibility to guide other businesses in doing the right thing. This is reflected in the services that BKL provide and our own commitment to a sustained positive impact on our people, clients, community and the environment. We’re so pleased to have become B Corp Certified in recognition of that and hope that many more businesses of all sizes, in our sector and beyond, will explore the benefits of joining the global B Corp movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.”
Among the UK’s community of over 1,200 B Corps – which includes The Body Shop International, The Big Issue Group, Innocent Drinks and Octopus Group – only a handful are accountancy and tax advisory firms, but we were keen to show how important it is to balance profit and purpose.
