The Power Of Partnership: Is B Corp Certification Right for You?

Spring’s traditionally a time of renewal and reflection for all of us, but those themes feel particularly relevant for the team here at Fox + Hare, given that March is also B Corp Month. As a fully certified B Corp, we’ve been taking the opportunity to reflect on what purpose-led work looks like in 2024, and for the future.

With B Corp Month having just drawn to a close, we wanted to share what we’ve learned over the last few weeks: reflecting on the thinking behind our decision to become a B Corp in the first place, the ups and downs we’ve experienced, and tips on how you can get the most out of being a B Corp, or working with one.

From the moment Fox + Hare was founded in 2019, B Corp certification was something we were passionate about achieving. We’ve always been driven by a deep-seated belief in the importance of balancing profit with purpose, so aligning ourselves with other businesses who shared those values made perfect sense, and helped us with the formal certification process.

We know that process has come in for a bit of criticism, related to the burden it can sometimes place on small businesses, but for us the investment of time and energy was manageable, and more than worth it. If anything, confronting those barriers helped us learn, grow and emerge stronger.

Fox + Hare has always had purpose at its heart, so becoming a B Corp felt like pushing at an open door: joining a like-minded community, and being able to show others where we stand. From a commercial perspective, accreditation has given us credibility, showcasing that we’re a good business: we continually strive to only work with businesses who share those values, either with the B Corp badge or not.

All of this compelled us to go even further: inspired by our experience of becoming a B Corp, we’re now Ecovadis certified too. There’s sometimes a bit of confusion between the B Corp and Ecovadis, given that both initiatives focus on sustainability and responsible business practices, but in fact they serve complementary purposes. 

EcoVadis offers a broader assessment of supply chain sustainability, while B Corp certification delves deeper into overall impact and governance. By leveraging both platforms, we’ve been able to ensure comprehensive coverage of our sustainability metrics, enhancing transparency and accountability across everything we do.

So what does being a B Corp look like in 2024? One visible way it manifests for us is the network we’ve built around us: our B Corp clients like YuMOVE and OneID, as well as our PR and video production partners. Each of these relationships is underpinned by a set of shared values and sustainability commitments provide another layer of meaning to our work together.

Another key factor - and one that’s vital to remember if you’re planning to work with a B Corp, or indeed becoming one yourselves - is around backing up rhetoric with real-world action. It’s all well and good writing blog posts, or doing social media posts for B Corp Month, but what really matters is practical, measurable change.

As an agency, this has meant giving substantial discounts on our work to clients who are focused on doing good: a principle we’ve stuck to from day one. Over the last five years, we estimate that we’ve given the equivalent of a quarter of a million pounds to the charities and other non-profit organisations that we’ve worked with.

And then, of course, there’s the effect of being a B Corp on the bottom line. Living your values is great, but every business stands or falls on the connection it builds with its customers.

At a time when the public are increasingly looking to brands to be part of the solution - not just mirroring consumers’ values, but putting them into practice throughout their business operations - B Corp status can be a powerful market differentiator. It says to your audiences that you’re not just saying the right things, but taking serious, independently-verified steps to help make the world a better place.

We’re really proud to have that as a core part of how we operate, and we believe that partnering with B Corps, or exploring your own certification, should be part of every brand’s toolkit.

Ultimately, becoming or working with a B Corp represents more than just a business decision: it's a commitment to driving positive change and creating a better world. By embracing sustainability, transparency, and accountability, we can not only strengthen our own business position, but also contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone.