We’re delighted to announce that Clear Future Financial Planners has achieved a milestone of which we’re very proud: we’ve officially become a B Corporation. We’re the first financial planning company in Gloucestershire to be awarded this status, and one of only about 20 UK independent financial advisors. As a whole, there are 2,000 companies in the UK and more than 8,800 worldwide committed to using their business to do good for their staff, their local communities and the environment at the same time as running a successful business. We see this as a win-win: a way to help future-proof the company and serve its clients better whilst also contributing towards a healthier environment and thriving local communities.
B Corporation is a global corporate mark laying down tough standards which companies have to meet to prove they are genuinely embracing more sustainable and ethical ways of operating. It indicates that the business considers the impacts of its decision-making on workers, suppliers, the local community and the environment. It’s overseen and awarded by the charity, B Lab, and is the business equivalent of the organic certification.
By achieving this accreditation, Clear Future Financial Planners joins an impressive roll call of other B Corps (as they’re known for short): Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Innocent Drinks, Emma Bridgewater and, closer to home in Gloucestershire, Stroud Brewery, Hobbs House Bakery, ProCook and Tyler Grange.
There are so many sustainability and ethical schemes available for businesses to join that it can be difficult to know which to believe and which is just a tick box exercise. Having been through the process – which has taken over a year – we can vouch for that fact that becoming a B Corp is hard work and when you see the logo, you can be sure the company really is genuinely doing what it can.
So, what kind of things are we doing to become more responsible? We’ve taken a good hard look at every aspect of our operations to identify ways to reduce our environmental impact and improve how we support staff, clients and our local community.
Examples of some of the changes we’ve introduced are:
- Offering sustainable investment and pension options
- Choosing local suppliers in order to support the local economy
- Buying the office coffee from a Glos-based coffee company
- Supporting our staff to further their professional qualifications and skills
- Carrying out a year-long energy audit to identify ways of improving energy efficiency
- Adopting a charity each year – this year it’s HomeStart Stroud & Gloucester
- Introducing more flexible working hours to help staff balance work and home life
- Recycling office resources such as ink toner cartridges, batteries and paper.
However, we also believe that being a B Corp makes good business sense, helping to both strengthen and future-proof the company. It means we’re focusing upon using resources and budgets efficiently, and investing in our staff to ensure clients receive a high-quality service. Overall, the result is a company which will be here for the long-term, giving clients confidence that their financial support won’t suddenly disappear – the adviser may change but the company will be there to guide them to a secure financial future.
That’s definitely what we call a win-win all round.