For the Spring 2024 edition of Tribu-te magazine (out now HERE), we have an indepth look at B Corp accreditation. Demystifying what B Corp stands for and revealing what the B Corp status is increasingly important in hairdressing. You can see the feature HERE… but before you do, here is an added insight into what it can mean for a smaller operator to go for B Corp approval. We have a B view (B for bird’s eye view) from Keith Mellen of Anne Veck Education Limited. Together with Anne, he is currently working towards gaining B Corp…
“At Anne Veck Education Limited, we have just started the process of becoming a B-corp. It is going to be a long process, with costs, but also benefits.” Keith Mellen is happy to share, so buckle up for an informative ride.
Anne Veck Education goes for it
Keith Mellen
“In January we completed the B-Impact Assessment which is the first stage. It is free and if you get a score over 80 you can proceed to applying to be B Corp. This costs £250 excluding VAT.
“We scored 97 and have now paid the £250. Where we are not, is in the Evaluation Queue! The advice is that we may wait for up to 7 months before someone contacts us to take us through the next stage.
“Whilst waiting we have completed the B Corp Legal Requirement, which means we have amended our Company Articles of Association to show our company objectives are not only profit but people and planet too. Having done the B-Impact Assessment I have a good idea of the scope of subjects you are assessed on. They are strong on social and governance, a little weaker on environmental.
“Once the B Corp status has been attained there is then an annual £1,000 fee for businesses with sales £0-149,99, rising in steps for higher sales bands. I wonder if this cost will deter small and micro businesses from participating?
On the plus side, I am a fan of the B Corp requirement to change your Articles of Association to become what is known as a “Benefit” company (the B stands for Benefit in the B-Corp). B Corp in the UK are the driving force behind the Better Business Act campaign which would require all companies to have profit/people/ planet objectives by law.”
Anne Veck
B for Benefit
“The big positive is that BCorp is a prestigious accreditation which says your business takes its ESG very seriously and has met challenging international standards. Also the more hairdressing salons (and other businesses in the industry including major brands) achieve it, the better for the reputation of our industry.
“I am prepared that the application and verification process will be demanding but also a valuable learning process in itself. I think it is important to do the work yourself to ensure you don’t miss out on the professional and business learning benefits, in other words don’t be lured by a consultant doing it for you – otherwise I think you miss the point.
“Our rationale at Anne Veck Education Ltd is that as advisors and campaigners for sustainability we need to walk the talk. Being BCorp will be good for our credibility and it is only by going through the process we can comment on it in an authentic way.”
Thank you Keith, we’re impressed!
Now get onto the bigger feature on B Corp which you can read here and includes other salon stories.
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