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Towards B Corp Certification: Our Journey

In a world where businesses are increasingly being held to higher ethical standards, pursuing B Corp Certification was a natural next step for us here at Franklin Ellis Architects. Having recently transitioned to an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT), we were looking for an industry-recognised certification to formalise our dedication to worthwhile causes and business practices.
For us, becoming a B Corp isn’t about earning a badge, it’s about aligning our values with our actions and holding ourselves accountable to a higher standard of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. It’s about recognising that businesses have a vital role to play in addressing global challenges, from climate change to income inequality.
Our B Corp Submission
We recently made our initial submission to B Corp and look forward to our journey to certification. One of the things that became apparent whilst compiling the information required for the B Impact Assessment was how many of our existing practices already align with B Corp values and allowed us to score highly. From our supply chain practices to our focus on empowering our employees, we already have many positive, proactive practices in place. It has also been extremely useful to cast a constructive eye over those practices and adjust and improve where we feel we can do even better.
Litter picking Ropewalk

The FEA team taking part in litter picking for Sustainability week

Charity Bowling

The FEA team for NACL charity bowling event

Lucy and Sarah

Lucy & Sarah Volunteering for FareShare Midlands

How will FEA become Certified B Corp?
One of the most rewarding aspects of the initial assessment was the opportunity to engage our employees, customers and stakeholders in meaningful conversations about our impact and how we can continuously improve. By inviting feedback and collaboration, we not only strengthen our commitment to sustainability but also foster a sense of shared purpose and community within and beyond our organisation. That internal reflection has proved particularly invaluable and aligns closely with our core value as an EOT.
FEA-Staff-Photo-2023-BW
What it means to be Certified B Corp
Achieving B Corp won’t be easy, and we anticipate challenges along the way, however we are driven by a shared vision of building a more sustainable and equitable future, and we are committed as a practice to doing the hard work necessary to turn that vision into a reality.
We fully understand the added importance of sustainable practices within the built environment and the impact our work has on not only the present but for future generations. We believe that our pledge to further elevate our commitment to mitigate environmental impact, address social equity and community engagement is more important now than ever.
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Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we navigate the certification process and continue to prioritise people and the planet.