Schoolwear supplier Banner Ltd. is now a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. Banner Ltd. has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’s operations. It covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80, while also 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, Banner Ltd. has legally embedded its commitment to purpose beyond profit in its company articles.
Recent attention on the textile industry makes Banner Ltd.’s B Corp certification a notable step and signals a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the sector.
Commenting is Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK. “We are delighted to welcome Banner Ltd. to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that Banner is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.
“We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from start-ups to multinationals and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that you can do good in any sector. Welcoming Banner is an exciting moment, because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the schoolwear industry. We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support Banner in paving the way for a new way of doing things.
“Being able to welcome Banner 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.”
Glenn Leech, CEO of Banner Ltd., adds what the certification means to the company and all colleagues going forward.
“Achieving B Corp certification is an incredibly proud milestone that validates the immense progress we have made in putting sustainability at the heart of our business. I am so pleased for our colleagues all across the business who have supported our journey. We’ve learned so much along the way and are driven, more than ever, to be a positive force for good in all that we do.”
Banner Ltd. is now part of a community of over 8,000 businesses globally which have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK − representing a broad cross-section of industries and sizes − comprises over 1,850 companies and includes brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole. For further information, please click here.
