B Corp – A blueprint for legacy?
And the even better news: we’ve found that by prioritising purpose, B Corps outperform their peers. In the UK, B Corps grow at a faster rate, experiencing a 20% increase in turnover compared to 3% for ordinary SMEs. Their values-driven governance is also central to their survival: 93% of UK B Corps weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and remain active today, versus 84% of UK businesses overall. This resilience is being recognised by investors. Over the past decade, UK B Corps have received a median of £1.5m in growth funding, 18% more than the
For many family-owned businesses, this is a way to formalise and amplify the values they already live by. It’s been brilliant to see Haymarket join the B Corp community alongside other family-owned businesses like COOK, Johnstons of Elgin, Faith In Nature, Wholegrain Digital, Pieminister, and Marshfield Farm Ice Cream. Family ownership is one of many governance models and approaches adopted by B Corps; others include employee ownership and innovations like giving nature a seat on the board. 2026 will be a defining year for the B Corp movement as companies begin transitioning to the new B Lab Standards, marking a shift in how certification is assessed and verified. After several years of consultation, the standards establish minimum requirements across seven critical areas, spanning climate action, workers’ rights, circularity and collective action. This ensures a business can’t score highly in one area and not another, creating a mandate for holistic impact. Crucially, ongoing improvement is now mandatory. Companies must demonstrate measurable progress with new milestones after three and five years, ensuring leaders continue driving meaningful progress. Additionally, all certification decisions will be made by a third party. This increases impartiality and brings an additional layer of independence alongside ensuring that B Corp Certification meets welcome legislative changes in the sustainability claims landscape.
Chris Turner CEO of B Lab UK
national average, signalling confidence in their long-term potential and leadership.
Family-owned businesses have long played a vital role in our economy, distinguished not just by their products or services, but by the values, traditions, and long-term vision they pass from one generation to the next. Unlike many other companies, their focus extends beyond profit. They prioritise stewardship, community and legacy. It’s precisely these qualities that family-owned businesses and the B Corp movement share. B Corps are businesses that embed purpose into the way they operate. They do so by meeting B Lab’s rigorous standards and amending their Articles of Association, legally committing to considering the interests of all stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and the environment – not just shareholders. Commonly known as stakeholder governance, this responsibility ensures mission and values are safeguarded even as companies grow, bring on new investors, or transition leadership.
So, for family-owned businesses looking to the future, B Corp is more than a certification. It’s a blueprint for safeguarding legacy, strengthening stakeholder trust, and achieving enduring, sustainable growth.
To find out more about B Corp, scan the QR code:
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www.familybusinessuk.org
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