With safety and sustainability a key priority for the construction industry, becoming a B Corp demonstrates the accountability and transparency this sector can offer.
18th September 2024, UK: Flat roof waterproofing company AXTER LTD (UK) has announced today its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies redefining success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.
Axter has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards. Axter’s certification is a notable step and signals a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the construction sector.
Recognition of the importance of responsibility has been growing in recent years as the construction industry adapts to a new and improved building safety regime set out in the Building Safety Act, and awareness grows that increased sustainability across the built environment is vital to deliver the UK’s Net Zero targets.
There are over 2,800 B Corps in the UK and more than 8,000 worldwide. Axter joins the small but growing number of B Corps that work in the built environment – which recently passed 100 companies. The UK has a thriving B Corp Built Environment networking group encouraging open conversations and collaboration. Construction industry B Corps include TaperedPlus Ltd, Gusto Group, The Rooflight Co., Hutsmith Ltd, and Modern Boutique Ltd.
Phillip Wilcox-Moore, Axter MD, comments,
“As a B Corp in the construction industry, we’re delighted that Axter Ltd is recognised among the leading flat roofing companies in the UK. This is a significant milestone for the Axter team, representing our dedication to leading the flat roofing design and construction sector towards greater transparency, responsibility, and sustainability.”
“We chose to become a B Corp because it offers an independent verification of our social responsibility, good governance, and positive environmental impact. Navigating the respected and rigorous assessment process is a significant achievement for the entire team and has reinforced our commitment to climate and community in every aspect of our business.”
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, says,
“Welcoming Axter to the B Corp community is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the construction industry. We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support Axter in paving the way for a new way of doing things and driving the conversation forward.”
“We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from startups to multinationals and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that you can do good in any sector. Axter will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit”.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’s operations and covers five key impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is comprehensive, with companies required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 on the B Impact Assessment, providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency.
To complete the certification, companies change their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders by legally embedding their commitment to a purpose beyond profit in their company articles and demonstrating transparency by publicly sharing their impact via their B Corp profile.
You can find Axter’s profile here: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/axter-uk/.
B Corps recertify every three years against B Lab’s evolving standards and are expected to increase their score as they progress to becoming more inclusive, equitable and regenerative.
References:
1. Of 2876 B Corps in the UK, 102 work in the built environment. Including 17 companies across construction (Construction, Contracting & building, Design and building and Other install & Construction), 53 in Architecture design & planning, 10 in solar panel installation and 22 in real estate development. (Source: www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/ August 2024)
