![]()
Bexley Beaumont co-founder and Chief Executive, Karen Bexley, has described the process as an important stage of the firm's evolution.
"Becoming a B-Corp is yet another major statement about how far we have come and how responsible we are as a business.
"The accreditation process was very lengthy and detailed, really challenging us to prove that we are doing the right things, in the right way and for the right reasons.
"In that sense, it has been of immense benefit because we could see the progress which we have made. Yet it has also helped us review and refine what we do and how we do it.
"Although it is a significant milestone for us, it is certainly not an end in itself but a reminder of the importance of staying accountable and conscious of our obligations to the wider community as we continue to grow the business.
"We also believe that attaining B-Corp status will be a valuable addition to our business development efforts, demonstrating to prospective clients how we adhere to the very highest standards of business practice and stakeholder governance as well as providing expert legal advice.
"Given the need to continue meeting the B-Corp standards as they evolve in order to retain our certification, we have even more incentive to strive to be an even better business.
"I believe that is something which is to the advantage of everyone in Bexley Beaumont and our external stakeholders both now and well into the future."
This year marks the 20th anniversary of B-Corp status being created by the not-for-profit B Labs organisation in order to recognise and foster those businesses meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Rather than focusing solely on profit, B-Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on workers, clients, suppliers, community and the environment.
Organisations pursuing certification are scored on a series of key areas. If approved by a Standards Advisory Council made of leading international business figures, they must also produce annual impact reports and undergo verification every three years to demonstrate their continuing adherence to their obligations.
More than 10,000 companies across the globe involved in 163 different industries have secured B Corp accreditation so far, 2700 of which are based in the UK.
The UK contingent includes 38 firms offering legal services, with Bexley Beaumont now becoming only the third based in the North West and the largest anywhere in the country with a fee-share operating model by partner numbers to have reached the B-Corp landmark.
Bexley Beaumont also succeeded in achieving one of the highest overall business impact scores of any B-Corp law firm operating in England and Wales.
Ms Bexley outlined how Bexley Beaumont had rolled out its own Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework even before beginning the B-Corp certification process.
The firm has its own Climate Action Plan, setting out a series of environment standards to which it abides.
Two years ago, it also established its own charitable foundation, BBFoundation, to formalise an impressive track record in supporting good causes.
The Foundation is currently partnering with three projects - the Ocean Conservation Trust, Law Care, an organisation offering support to individuals working in the UK legal profession, and the Sutton Trust, which pursues social mobility initiatives nationwide - indicating the breadth of its commitments.
Joining the ranks of the UK's B-Corps is the latest sign of Bexley Beaumont's growing strength as a business.
The last year has seen it generate further positive momentum, with the addition of senior figures to all of its main legal functions, including Real Estate, Commercial and Employment, and the creation of a new Tax Dispute Resolution unit.
Within the same period of time, the firm's partner numbers increased to 75 out of an overall staff roll of 123 and it topped an influential ranking of growth by firms outside the country's top 50 legal brands compiled for the second successive year.
Earlier this month, Bexley Beaumont announced the setting up of a Senior Leadership Team to support the firm's board by taking the lead in day-to-day oversight of its key finance, compliance and marketing functions.
The Team is made up of Nick Capper, Bexley Beaumont's Head of Compliance and Risk, Head of Finance Sharaz Hussain and Jacob Bewicke, its newly-promoted Senior Marketing Executive.