What is B Corp certification?
The non-profit B Lab awards B Corp Certification to companies that meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
B Corps operate for the benefit of all stakeholders, not just shareholders. To earn the certification, businesses must undergo a detailed evaluation across five key areas: governance, workers, community, the environment and customers.
The result is an independently verified picture of how an organisation operates and the impact it creates.
Why we did it
We didn't pursue B Corp certification for a badge. We did it to formalise the values that guide us, to hold ourselves to a higher standard in how we serve people, support entrepreneurs,and reduce our impact on the planet.
For us, certification is both an achievement and a beginning. It represents more than a year of careful work, collaboration, and reflection across our teams.
The process has reinforced how we embed responsibility into hiring, product development, customer care, and team wellbeing. It has also connected us to a global network of like-minded businesses, sharing tools and accountability for better impact.
What it means for you
As a 1st Formations customer, you can feel confident that you're partnering with a company built on transparency, inclusivity, and accountability.
We're dedicated to providing fair and clear pricing to our audience, operating ethically, and continually improving across every service we provide.
This certification is a public promise to keep running our business responsibly, so you can start and grow yours knowing you're in good hands.
Certification process
Our journey to B Corp certification took 17 months and involved opening every part of our business to review. The process examined how we work and make decisions, and how the impact of these actions extends beyond the organisation.
Our impact in five key areas
Governance
- Social responsibility written into our Articles of Association
- Board-level ethics and decision frameworks guiding strategy and procurement
Workers
- Commitment to the Living Wage for every employee
- Employee Assistance Programme and flexible benefits available to all
- Inclusive, family-friendly policies for office-based and remote staff
Environment
- Operations achieving zero waste to landfill
- Ongoing Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon tracking to identify and reduce emissions
Community
- Responsible sourcing backed by a supplier Code of Conduct
- Paid volunteering time for every team member
- Active support for charities such as Race Against Dementia
Customers
- Clear service guarantees and transparent pricing
- Continuous feedback and improvement loops built into our support systems
Why this makes us better
B Corp Certification has given us a better way to measure progress, not just intent.
It has helped us strengthen our teams, enhance our customer experience, and integrate sustainability into our daily decision-making.
Most importantly, it keeps us accountable to you, our customers, as we build a business that's fit for the future.
This process didn't ask us to reinvent who we are, but instead prove what we already stand for. It now serves as a clear framework for continuous improvement across every part of our business.
Joining a global community
1st Formations and BSQ Group join a network of over 9,000 purpose-led companies working toward a shared idea that good business can create measurable, lasting impact on people and the planet.
This network includes some well-known names, such as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, The Body Shop, and TOMS, alongside a growing number of small and medium-sized companies that are redefining how business success can be measured.
Within this network, like-minded businesses can exchange knowledge, support one another's progress, and raise standards across industries. Together, we're proving that profit and purpose can work in harmony.
What's next for us and you
Becoming a B Corp sets a new standard for us. Every three years, we'll undergo recertification to maintain and improve our impact score. Between those reviews, we remain focused on deepening our environmental efforts, expanding community programmes, and continuing to help founders build businesses with purpose.
For us, certification isn't a finish line but a promise to hold ourselves to higher standards while marking the next step in how we lead responsibly. For you, it means partnering with a company built on transparency, integrity, and the belief that good business and growth go hand in hand.
Building better business together
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