Celebrating B Corp Month at R&T: Where Profits Meet Purpose

In March 2023, Richmond & Towers proudly became the UK’s first 100% employee-owned, B Corp certified PR and social media agency. Achieving B Corp status was a further demonstration of our commitment to ethical and environmental business practices and social responsibility. Celebrating B Corp Month felt like an opportune moment to reflect on our certification and what it means to us as a business. ​

B Corp, is a seal of approval to say that we meet the highest standards of social and environmental business performance. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, clients, suppliers, community and the environment. It ensures that businesses operate, not just for profit, but for the greater good.

As a business, we’ve always led with innovation – a world war, a pandemic and a few recessions will do that to you. Established in 1930 by two pioneering women, Suzanne Richmond and Majorie Towers, Richmond & Towers has consistently evolved, adapting to the changing landscapes of the PR industry and the world around us. So, it was a natural evolution when, in 2019, we became the first 100% employee-owned PR agency. That means, that the whole team have a stake in the business and, therefore, a say in how we do business.  It’s important to us as a team to balance profit with purpose, so the obvious next step was to become B Corp. We wanted our business to be a force for good.

As Jonathan Sacks notes in his book, “Morality”, businesses have become disconnected. They lack accountability and responsibility to anyone, beyond their shareholders. They are, “Institutions that have power without responsibility“, solely focused on short-term financial gains at the expense of long-term sustainability and ethical considerations. We don’t do business that way…

Achieving certification is a testament to our dedication to running an ethical and sustainable business.  The rigorous assessment process evaluates us on governance, employee rights, community impact, environmental impact, and customer stewardship. We’re very proud to have received a B Impact Score of 114.3 – significantly higher than the average score – proving that we walk the walk.

In an era where everyone – employees, clients and their customers – are increasingly looking for socially responsible businesses, our B Corp certification positions us as a leader in ethical business practices. It shows our clients that we are committed to making a positive impact – and we’re able to pass that impact on to their supply chain.

B Corp is not a one-time achievement to get and then tick it off your list, it’s an ongoing commitment to excellence and therefore (a gruelling) recertification every three years, but we think that’s a positive – it encourages us to continuously improve rather than becoming complacent.

By joining the global community of over 7,600 certified (at time of writing) B Corps across 84 countries, we align with a collective mission to redefine what success in business means. It allows us to collaborate with like-minded organisations, and contribute to a movement that champions an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

Our B Corp certification is more than a badge of honour; it reflects our enduring commitment. We live and breathe our values and, as we celebrate B Corp Month, we reaffirm our dedication to these principles, recognising that true business success encompasses not only profitability but also the positive impact we give back to our team, clients, community, and the environment. We are so proud to be part of a global movement that sees business as a force for good.

Anouska Leon

Secret agent – the eyes and ears of the agency who has the skill to hunt out brands that make a perfect match with us. If you get caught on her line, you’re going to get reeled in – you have been warned!