A new initiative to champion and support the growing number of B Corps in the county is launching in Gloucestershire.
The new B Local Gloucestershire group is one of only 14 in the country and includes nearly 40 local B Corp-certified businesses.
It aims to support Gloucestershire's growing network of certified and aspiring B Corps by creating connections in the community and promoting social and environmental responsibility in business, to raise awareness of the global B Corp movement and maximise its impact locally.
B Local Gloucestershire is co-chaired by B Corp consultant Camilla Barnes; Charlie Haward from Gloucester-based Optimising IT; Katharina Child from Invivo Healthcare in Stroud; and Victoria Petkovic-Short from Beechurst Serviced Apartments, which recently became the south west's first accommodation provider to certify as a B Corp.
As well as an official launch party, the group plans to host best practice sessions and regular networking events throughout the year, aimed at helping businesses 'do better'.
Camilla said: 'We’re still a network run by businesses for businesses, sharing social and environmental best practice in Gloucestershire. Being a B Local enables us to do more through connecting like-minded businesses, creating impact at a local level and promoting being a force for good to benefit people, communities and the planet.
'Currently, we’re a group of almost 40 Gloucestershire B Corps and we’ll use the B Corp framework to support progressive organisations also striving for the same purpose, while encouraging those with growth plans which consider people and the environment to join us.
'We’re extremely excited about the prospect and wholly focused on building a brilliant local community of B Corp gamechangers and engaging with the wider Gloucestershire business sector to become more socially and environmentally responsible.'
B Local Gloucestershire will be sharing regular updates through its LinkedIn group at linkedin.com.
