Following the likes of Oxford-based Seacourt, and Beccles and Norwich-based Anglia Print as well as brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Innocent Smoothies and Gousto, the integrated marketing agency received its certification last Wednesday (10 November).
Becoming B Corp certified is one of the highest certifications a business can receive for their sustainability, as organisations who achieve the certification must meet excellent standards of social and environmental performance and ensure a beneficial and inclusive working environment.
They are considered global leaders in the cultural shift to sustainable business. All B Corps must carefully consider the impact of their operations across their entire ecosystem and use their business and profits for good.
Webmart, which is based in Bicester near Oxford and Barnsley in South Yorkshire, said it has always used its profits for good; sharing these profits with its staff, investing in environmental causes, and supporting charities and its local communities.
The certification comes towards the end of a busy year for the business, which saw the creation of its own climate positive postage brand Enviromail, its involvement in the Laptops for Kids scheme, and its commitment of around £300,000 to rewilding its 164-acre woodland area in Scotland.
Webmart managing director Richard Boon said: “Becoming a certified B Corporation is a fantastic achievement in our ongoing journey as a sustainable, ethical business.
“Since we were founded twenty-five years ago, we’ve heavily invested in growing and improving our sustainability across our environmental impact, social and charitable efforts. More recently, we’ve pushed forward to bring industry-leading ethical marketing options to our customers too.
“The B Corp process has been challenging. It meant we had to critically review the efforts we’ve made so far, helping us identify further opportunities to improve our actions across the entirety of our operations. The certification is a significant next step for us as a business in our approach of continual improvement, and we’re really proud of the journey we’ve come on so far.
“Webmart’s philosophy has always been to work hard and do good, and achieving B Corp status only further validifies our ethos as a business. We’re thrilled to become a part of a forceful community of businesses and organisations who share this belief, and we really look forward to introducing new ideas into the B Corp network.”
Webmart recently recruited Kelly O'Sullivan, who started her new role on 1 November. The company’s founder Simon Biltcliffe, meanwhile, is standing as a candidate in the upcoming election to become Mayor of South Yorkshire.
