x+why are now a Certified B Corporation®

x+why are incredibly excited and proud to announce our certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit.

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What is a B Corporation?

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Certified B Corporations are companies who are committed to prioritising the environment and society in the way they do business.  Currently there are 4,000 businesses globally who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 400 companies and include well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.

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All of these B Corps have been independently assessed to ensure they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The certification process is rigorous, and considers the entirety of a business’ operations, covering the five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers.  Applicants are required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, the

company will legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.

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Being B Corp Certified is about growing a business in the right way and is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance.

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“Certified B Corporations® are the models for the economic reset we need where people and planet are prioritised, and businesses are held accountable ”

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— Debra Dunn, Global Board Member of B Lab

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Why did you want to certify as a B Corp?

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x+why believe in being the change that you want to see in the world and that businesses are a conduit for creating a better economy and society.  Becoming a B Corporation has been our ambition since inception, and we have always talked openly about balancing purpose with profit.  It is the very thing which makes x+why unique in it’s proposition - uniting, inspiring, and amplifying the great work of purpose-driven businesses, in order to provoke meaningful and lasting change.

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The B Corporation badge is the gold standard when it comes to certifying on-going commitment to people, planet and progress and we wanted to join a network of likeminded enterprises that are really walking the walk.  Progress does not mean anything unless there is something left to benefit from it and we wanted to be part of a movement that is creating a better future for all.  The certification is credible and meaningful, and gives us a framework to keep us accountable.  This is just the beginning for x+why - we want to continue to improve as we grow.

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Finally, we wanted to show leadership at a time when change is not just wanted, but needed.  Being B Corp Certified will hopefully help us to motivate and lead our members, and a wider network of businesses, movements and leaders.

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“Being able to welcome x+why to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit

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— Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK

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What makes x+why a B Corp and how are you doing business differently?

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We were very pleased to score 98.3 on the B Impact Assessment - and attribute this score to the fact that many of the ideas, frameworks and values were already baked into our founding principles.  As the name suggests: x+why was born with purpose in mind and heart.  We want to disrupt the flexible workspace market with sustainable, innovative buildings, but also use physical space as a way to unite and inspire businesses who are committed to a more responsible way of working.  

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Our community is made up of a range of different types of businesses, some already B Corp Certified, some social enterprises or charities, and plenty who are just starting out their journey towards ‘Better Business’ - but who find inspiration and support from those who they share their office with.  We believe that lasting impact and change comes about through collaboration, and by encouraging this, over competition, in our spaces we hope to change the way the world works for good.

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x+why are not perfect - we are still learning and improving.  But we are committed to always challenging the status quo if it will result in positive impact. We treat all stakeholders equally, and have stepped up to the plate as leaders in a progressive space at a moment in time when change amidst uncertainty is no longer just an option.

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Read our Impact Report

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What did you learn or what challenges did you overcome when using the B Impact Assessment?

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When we first came across the B Impact Assessment, we found some of the questions difficult to both answer and comprehend. This is part of the reason why we launched our Why B Programme.  This Programme is hosted at x+why in partnership with member, B Lab UK.  It is designed to motivate businesses as they complete their B Impact Assessment (BIA)– the key to unlocking the coveted BCorp certification, but also an excellent planning tool and way to measure impact for businesses of all sizes.  

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The Programme brings together a range of businesses  across four sessions and helps them all navigate the BIA, with the support of dedicated B leaders, a network of peers, and an inspiring environment in which to meet and work.

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After completing the inaugural Why B Programme ourselves, we were left with lots of ideas on how we could improve the impact of the business, but all of these needed to be documented and implemented.  This was an area of important growth and learning for us - actually making some of the ideas we had into living, breathing policies and procedures - not just stuff that lived in our heads and email conversations!

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Have you set any goals or areas for improvement for the future?

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The B Corporation certification is just the beginning for us. We understand that a lifelong commitment to better business encompasses being lifelong learners and constantly improving. As we begin to scale and open up more spaces, we’ll be thinking about how we can maintain our focus on getting better not just bigger.

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Our loyal community of likeminded startups already supplies us with the tools and talent we need for creative problem solving and it feels as though there is nothing we cannot collaboratively accomplish.

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