A UK commercial law firm has joined The Body Shop, Patagonia and Innocent Drinks in an esteemed ranking of the world’s most progressive employers.
Square One Law, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Darlington employing 62 people, is one of the latest UK businesses to achieve B Corp status.
The values driven firm, which is known for its ‘fair, inclusive and diverse culture’ achieved an overall score of 93, above the B Corp pass mark score of 80 and placing it among the top 10 ranked UK law firms.
B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
The average score for non-B Corp businesses is 50.9 points. Before obtaining a score, applicants must first complete a rigorous application, assessment and verification process interrogating its approach to governance, workers, environment, community and customers.
Gill Hunter, managing partner said: “We have spent some time reassessing our future and investing in improving our our firm’s impact on our clients, our people, our communities and our planet. So, to have achieved such a high B Corp ranking on our first time of applying, is absolutely brilliant.
“The ranking not only puts us among the top 10 UK law firms, it places us alongside some of the world’s largest and most responsible businesses. It is an incredible achievement for everyone associated with the firm.
“We don’t see becoming a B Corp as simply a box-ticking exercise, we pursued this certification because we genuinely believe in doing the right thing.
“By achieving B Corp status, it demonstrates to the world our dedication to ethical practices and sustainability and will assure our clients that they are working with a firm committed to making a real, positive impact on the world.”
Fellow North East organisation and Square One Law client, UMi, attained B Corp status last year and became the region’s first business services organisation to achieve the accreditation.
Speaking about Square One Law joining UMi among the region’s list of B Corp accredited employers, chief executive, Nicki Clark OBE, said: "As a client of Square One Law, I am thrilled to see the company attain B Corp status.
“This achievement reflects their unwavering commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which aligns perfectly with our own values as a fellow B Corp.
“Working with a law firm that prioritises ethical practices, transparency, and sustainability not only strengthens our trust in their services but also reinforces the importance of the B Corp movement.
“It's reassuring to know that we work with a law firm that truly champions positive change and adheres to the highest standards of accountability and performance. Together, we are building a better, more sustainable future for businesses and communities alike."
