We are excited to finally announce something we’ve been secretly working on for a while... Ruddocks is now a Certified B Corporation!
We’ve joined a worldwide community of businesses, big and small, who are using what they do to make a positive difference for people and the planet. Only around 30% of applicants are successful, so this really is a massive achievement, and it’s all down to the dedication and passion of our amazing team.
But in truth, this isn’t the start of our journey. At Ruddocks, purpose has always come first. For decades, we’ve worked hard to balance commercial success with looking after our people, supporting our community, and reducing our impact on the planet. Becoming a B Corp simply recognises and formalises what’s long been at the heart of our business.
So, what exactly is a B Corp?
B Corp stands for “Benefit for all”, a certification created to recognise organisations that use business as a force for good.
It proves a company is meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. But what makes it really meaningful is how rigorous the certification process is. It doesn’t just look at day-to-day operations; it goes deeper, assessing whether the very design of an organisation creates positive social and environmental impact.
There are now more than 10,000 Certified B Corps across 102 countries and 162 industries. In the UK alone, over 2,600 companies are certified, and we’re proud to be joining them in leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.
You’ll probably recognise some of the bigger names in the community, such as Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Innocent, and The Body Shop, but there are also thousands of smaller businesses, all united by the same mission: to build a fairer, more sustainable economy. We’re genuinely excited to be in such brilliant company.
Why it matters to us
Long before we started this process, responsibility was already part of who we are. We’ve always believed in doing business the right way, from adopting international environmental standards early on, to investing in our team’s well-being and supporting local causes.
Plus, having been around since 1884, we’re also one of the oldest organisations in the world to achieve B Corp status, proof that even a 140-year-old family business can adapt, innovate, and lead the way!
More importantly, B Corp isn’t just about the environment; it’s equally about people and community. For us, that means creating a workplace where our team feels supported and inspired, helping charities and not-for-profit groups, and building lasting partnerships with customers who share our values.
The journey to becoming a B Corp
Earning B Corp status is no small feat... and we’re glad it isn’t!
It all starts with the B Impact Assessment (BIA), a comprehensive look into everything a business does. To pass, you need to score at least 80 points across areas like employee wellbeing, community involvement, governance, and environmental footprint. We achieved a 97.8!
Once the assessment is complete, B Lab, the organisation behind B Corp, takes you through a two-stage evaluation and verification process. This can take months (sometimes years) and doesn’t end once you’re certified. Every three years, you’re reassessed to make sure you’re still meeting the standards and continuing to improve.
What’s next for us
Becoming a B Corp is a huge milestone and one we are immensely proud of. But for us, it’s not the end of the journey; it’s the start of the next chapter. Over the next five years, we’ll be focusing on:
• Collaborating with other B Corps – sharing ideas, learning from each other, and building partnerships.
• Measuring our ESG impact – keeping track of our progress on environmental, social, and governance goals.
• Carbon neutrality by 2030 – we’re on track, and determined to get there.
Why it matters for the world
The B Corp movement is about redefining what success in business looks like. Instead of chasing short-term wins, it’s about building long-term value for everyone: people, planet, and profit, side by side.
And it matters to employees, too. Research shows that 92% of people working at B Corps feel a strong sense of purpose in their job, compared to just 17% of UK employees overall. People want to work for businesses that care, and we’re proud to be one of them.
Becoming a Certified B Corp is a huge moment for us, and for me personally. When I first discovered the B Corp movement, I remember thinking how closely it reflected the way we already ran our business. This certification is both a recognition of everything our team has built and a commitment to keep doing business as a force for good, for our people, our clients, our community, and our planet.
Join us on the journey
We’re over the moon to finally share this news and be part of the B Corp community. But more importantly, we’d love you to keep us accountable as we continue this journey.
