March is here, the mornings are (slightly) brighter, and it’s B Corp month.
The annual campaign celebrates the collective impact of almost 10,000 Certified B Corporations and, as the UK’s largest accountancy B Corp, we know all about its importance.
This year’s theme is ‘Gen B’, shining a spotlight on the next wave of leaders and businesses driving positive change. You often hear from Nicoleta Voicu, our Head of Sustainability and her Impact Beyond Business team when we’re discussing all things B Corp, so to kick off the month, we’re switching things up.
Below, we spoke to Stephanie Morris, Talent Acquisition Director, and Tom Summers, CP Deals Partner, to find out why working for a B Corp matters to them, and how their worlds are being shaped through the sustainability lens.
Q&A WITH ‘GEN B’
How important is it for you to work for a B Corp, and why?
“For me, personally, it’s important to work for a company that cares about the future of its impact, our people and our planet,” Stephanie said. “Being B Corp certified shows that we are fully committed to making a change and walking the walk. I have two young children, and the impact on our future world from both a work and climate perspective means more than ever to me.”
“Working for a B Corp is increasingly important to me as it reflects CP’s alignment with my values and a broader commitment to social and environmental responsibility,” Tom added. “It allows us to drive positive impact, while helping our clients and generating profit.”
How do you think being a B Corp benefits Cooper Parry?
“Being a B Corp certified employer benefits CP hugely,” Stephanie told us. “In terms of attracting employees, clients and suppliers, through to retaining top talent as we make them our core focus and leaders of the future.”
“It’s a key differentiator,” Tom said. “Particularly in sectors like Professional Services and Healthcare, where these values resonate with clients. It also strengthens our employer brand and attracting and retaining top talent is crucial in a people-driven business.”
In our latest student intake, how important was sustainability for those joining CP?
“After our Assessment Centres, we survey each of our candidates to find out what attracted them to CP,” Stephanie shared. “We often find B Corp gets mentioned in this survey, as well as throughout their application process. Candidates often feel that our B Corp status sets us apart from other accounting firms and shows our dedication to giving back, putting our people first and having a positive impact on our planet and communities.”
Has the hiring landscape changed with so much more focus on sustainability in recent years?
“I’ve been recruiting for the best part of 15 years, and I can honestly say the change in the hiring landscape has been huge,” Stephanie shared. “From the main focus being about salary and job title, to around five years ago when CSR policies started to be mentioned throughout the hiring process, mainly from millennials but the knowledge was much more basic than what we see today.
In today’s market, candidates understand what it means and want to see employers living and breathing it, not just a policy or a statement on their website. Being B Corp certified for us at CP, I personally believe it helps attract and retain likeminded employees throughout our business, not just within the early careers space.
Also, when we’re attending careers fairs, we often get asked about our CSR stance and are encouraged to think about our sustainability stance on giveaways, which we wouldn’t have seen a few years ago.”
Has the importance of sustainability credentials changed in the Deals world?
“Absolutely,” Tom told us. “Sustainability credentials have become significantly more important in the Deals world. Investors and buyers increasingly scrutinise ESG factors, recognising their direct impact on long-term value and growth.
Sustainable businesses are seen as more resilient and better positioned for the future, which is reflected in the rise of ESG-focused funds that can only invest in companies meeting specific sustainability criteria.”
What sort of sustainability credentials do buyers and investors look for?
“Buyers and investors prioritise sustainability credentials that enhance resilience and efficiency,” Tom explained. These include:
- Technologies or processes that support Net Zero transitions, the circular economy, or cost efficiencies;
- Evidence of positive social impact and community engagement; and
- Clear KPIs and robust data demonstrating these behaviours, as measurable impact is key to driving and sustaining value in the Deals environment.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE REST OF B CORP MONTH?
To continue spreading the word around this crucial business movement, we’ll be sharing a whole host of educational content throughout March.
Keep your eyes peeled on the CP LinkedIn for more, head over to our Work Here page to see our available roles and find out more about life at CP, and if you’re a business on your own B Corp journey, check out our Sustainability Advisory offerings to see how we can support that, whatever the stage.
