Why Inigo has become a B Corp

You’ve likely heard the term B Corp, or B Corporation, around lately. It’s a term used to describe companies – about 800 in the UK – that have shown commitment to working together to make a positive impact and are dedicated to doing better, making sure they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The idea is that it benefits everyone: teams and customers, wider audiences and suppliers, among others.

Since Inigo’s launch we’ve been working towards B Corp status and, this month, we’ve got there. In doing so, says Emma Mansell, our managing director, “we’ve committed to doing business in a way that aligns our belief that people and places matter, and to acting with the understanding that we are responsible for each other, for the planet, and for future generations. We have always known that thoughtful design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about design that considers its environmental, social and cultural impact too.” We want to uphold that belief.

After setting our sights on achieving B Corp status, we founded our internal B Team, who navigated the rigorous application requirements and implemented meaningful changes. It was, says commercial director Aoife Leach, an “incredibly valuable” process, during which we learned a lot – and changed quite a lot too. We’ve worked with a sustainability advisor, for instance, introduced new benefits for the team and rethought our operations to ensure everything – from our energy supplier to our recycling – is as ecologically minded as possible. “As well as reviewing what we were already proud of,” Aoife continues, “we learned what we can work towards improving further, while striving for better along the way.”

One of the most exciting parts of the process, says James Noble, our people and culture manager, was seeing the collaborative work of the B Team, which continues to be open to all staff members to join. “Our meetings bring together a great variety of perspectives and skills to discuss the challenges we faced as a company – and to come up with plans to address them.” He adds that he was particularly proud of the partnership we’ve struck up with Art History Link-Up, the charity working to widen access to higher education and careers in the arts and heritage sectors, not least when recently we offered work-experience placements to AHLU alumni. “It’s clear that we have the motivation within the team to push forward with more projects like this in the future, so I’m excited to see what we can achieve next.”

And speaking of what’s around the corner, it’s important to note that our work with B Corp isn’t done and dusted. “This isn’t simply about gaining a certificate,” says Emma. “It’s about being part of a movement that is committed to making a difference. And it’s helped us to understand our company: how we can make it a more fulfilling place to work, while we do our part to bring about change.” B Corp has given us a framework to continue the journey. “The end goal isn’t to achieve certification and then stop. Our focus is ongoing improvement.”

So, what does this all mean for you, dear reader? Well, you can rest assured that whether you are buying or selling a home from us, reading or watching our content, or interacting with us in some other way, you can do so in the knowledge that your interaction is one with a company striving to make a positive impact in the world. Our promise is that we’ll continue to grow, change and improve – always with people and planet at the forefront of our minds.

IMAGE CREDITS

Gallery photograph: Ed Hands