Brummie B Corps: 5 companies committed to people and planet

Birmingham is the UK's second city (Shhh, don't tell Manchester) and home to Black Sabbath, the Peaky Blinders, and the infamous ramp outside Maccies. It's also home to 56 Certified B Corp companies. 

🧐 What is a B Corp?  

A B Corp is a company recognised as meeting 'high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability'. Companies that apply for certification must pass a rigorous verification process that includes a review of the company's business model, operation, structure and work processes, among others. It isn't just about how sustainable a company is but also considers employee wellness and community engagement.

B Lab is the US-based nonprofit network responsible for accreditation, with B Lab UK as the UK equivalent. There are more than 9,500 B Corps companies worldwide across 160 industries. Birmingham, UK, currently (March 2025) has 56 B Corps companies, some wholly based in the Midlands and others represented in the city.  

Companies choose to get B certification to showcase their beliefs and mission, helping them stand out within their industry and creating marketing and PR opportunities. It can also help them attract and retain employees. Certification can take several months or even years to achieve with applications evaluated across five individual areas: 

• Governance  
• Workers 
• Community 
• Environment 
• Customers  

Because each area is evaluated individually, it's possible for companies to achieve wildly different scores for each element. For example, a company might score 9 for community but 27 for the environment section. The numbers are added together, and anything 80 or higher leads to certification, although companies must recertify every three years. 

📌 B Corp Certified Companies in Birmingham 

🏢 Runway East 

• Industry: Flexible serviced offices, meeting and break out spaces.  
• Location: Temple Row, Birmingham
• Certified since: 2002
  
• Examples of B Corp sustainability: 
  
  

✅ Profits from on-site food and drink sales are donated to local charities 

✅ Preference for local supplies 

✅ Blind-hiring process to limit the impact of bias 

✅ Smart thermostats and occupancy sensors 

✅ Recycling program 

✅ Composted food waste 

✅ 100% renewable electricity 

✅ Non-toxic cleaning products 

✅ Cycling encouraged with safe bike storage 

✅ Reduction in plastics  

💸BGF  

• Industry: Investment 
• Location: Bull Street, Birmingham 
• Certified Since: 2023 
• Examples of B Corp sustainability: 
  
  

✅ Invests in female-led businesses 

✅ Hired ESG Manager 

✅ All suppliers screened on topics including modern slavery and data protection 

✅ Delivers ESG workshops and webinars to portfolio businesses 

✅ Published its first climate report,  

✅ Composted food waste 

✅ 100% renewable electricity 

✅ Non-toxic cleaning products 

✅ Cycling encouraged with safe bike storage 

✅ Reduction in plastics  

👨‍💻 Covatic 

Industry: Software publishing and SaaS platforms 

Location: Birmingham 

Certified since: 2021 

Examples of B Corp Sustainability:

✅ 33% board is female 

✅ Zeo gender pay gap 

✅ 5 days per year to volunteer for charitable causes 

✅ Hybrid working 

✅ Health insurance, including mental health support 

✅ Small business support 

✅ Waste and energy reduction measures 

✅ Procurement process prioritising 'environmentally aware firms and suppliers'. 

🏛️ Stride Treglown 

Industry: Architecture design and planning

Location: Birmingham 

Certified since: 2021 

Examples of B Corp Sustainability 

✅ 100% of employees are paid above the voluntary minimum wage 

✅ Employees allocated two-day voluntary leave to help local initiatives 

✅ 60% of employees own company shares 

✅ 96% of energy comes from renewable sources 

✅ Residual carbon emission offsetting 

✅ Cycle to work and electric car leasing schemes 

✅ 100% renewable energy usage 

✅ Match-funded charitable donations 

✅ Support for local charities 

🖥️ 383 Project 

Industry: Digital Projects 

Location: Mailbox 

Certified since: 2023

Examples of B Corp Sustainability:

✅ Remote first company 

✅ Creating more entry-level jobs 

✅ Works with local, independent suppliers and businesses 

As with many things, B Corp Certification isn't without some controversy. Ethical Consumer details this in one post, when Nespresso was awarded certification, despite its 'single-use packaging of the product and poor human rights reputation'. The article criticises the scoring system, saying that companies only need 80/200 to pass, which means they can be very low in one area and still achieve certification.  
 
These are fair criticisms, but many companies seek B Corp Certification to do better for their employees, customers, and the wider community. We've talked about this type of positive action before. Companies aren't always acting on altruism alone. Companies investing in employee wellbeing, community action, and sustainability often benefit hugely from doing so, as employee retention and productivity increases can be a by-product of employee wellness and community. Energy efficiency can save money on utility bills. Supporting the local community can provide a wealth of positive PR and marketing opportunities. 

🎯 For example,   

• Staff turnover reduced by 33% in 82% of employee wellbeing programs – British Heart Foundation. 
  
  
• Employee happiness has been reported to increase sales by 37% and boost productivity by 18% - KnightFrank. 
  
  
• One in three 18–24-year-olds have rejected a job offer based on ESG record - KPMG
  
  
• One global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) found that 71% of employees and those seeking employment believed sustainable companies were more attractive. 74% of employees felt more fulfilled in their jobs when they had an opportunity to make a positive social and environmental impact on the world. In comparison, 70% also said they'd be more loyal to such a company, and almost half of those asked said they'd accept a lower salary to work for a sustainable company.

While a B Corp Certification isn't perfect, it highlights how some companies operate more conscientiously than others. We've listed some great ones based in Birmingham.  
 
✅ Runway East donating unused food items to local charities will greatly benefit those in need.  

✅ BGF delivering ESG workshops and webinars to portfolio businesses 

✅ Covatic have no gender pay gap 

✅ Stride Treglown paying all employees above living minimum wage 

✅ 383 Project creating more entry-level roles 

Regardless of how cynical some people may view B Corp certification, these companies are doing things to benefit their workers and the wider community. There's always room for improvement, and the accreditation makes a strong case for that—companies are reviewed every three years. It allows companies to improve their score and make a greater contribution. Transparency and accountability ensure companies aren't misleading or exploitative in their practices.  

But you don't have to be B Corp Certified to make a positive impact on people and the planet. You can make changes to your business that benefit everyone. Why not target sustainability and employee wellbeing together? 

👌 Energym's ECO:POD is a self-contained exercise and relaxation space designed for the workplace. Equipped with electricity-generating fitness bikes, it lets employees work out, relieve stress, and recharge. Recharge quite literally, the dedicated yoga and meditation area offers a calm spot to unwind and reset before getting back to work. 

👉 Visit energym.io for more information on how the ECO:POD can help transform your workplace, or watch our short video below.