We’re thrilled to share the news that Joseph Homes is now a certified B Corp. A step of huge magnitude for us as a business and one that we couldn’t be prouder of.
Getting to this point has been quite the journey, and it all started when we first heard about the B Corp certification some time back. It happened to align perfectly with our Live Well manifesto and the values we uphold, and so it seemed like a missed opportunity not to get involved.
What is a B Corp?
For those who don’t know, certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. These corporations and companies are defined as accelerators of a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
How we did it
The process itself was pretty rigorous but definitely worth it. We started by answering a set of questions as part of the impact assessment, with clear evidence supplied for each and every answer. Which was a lot harder than it might sound, mostly because of the great quantity needed. Being in lockdown at this time and trying to figure out our new normal didn’t help, but thanks to a great team effort, we managed to successfully complete the submission. Something we’re very proud of as it shows our ability to pull together and get stuck in when it really matters. Even when the circumstances are against us!
The Why
Having this certification adds a greater value to the company as a whole. It’s amazing to be part of a community that stands for the same morals and goals as we do at Joseph Homes. And it’s also a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other and to grow together. When we saw the sections of the B Corp assessment, we were encouraged as they aligned almost perfectly with our internal Live Well pillars which have been around for a few years already. Further, because we are part of an industry that has a significant impact on the environment, we knew we needed to go above and beyond to mitigate this effect. This certification is a recognition of our journey so far.
Purpose & Profit
The B Corp certification is made for companies that show a balance of purpose and profit. Most people know what not-for-profit businesses are about, but there are lots of for-profit companies that have intentions just as good and that still care about the planet, communities and staff. And really, that’s what B Corp is all about, showing that you care about more than just profit. One of the B Corp taglines is “people using business as a force for good” which we think sums things up perfectly.
One aspect that adds another layer to this is that as a certified B Corp, to show your commitment to the community and planet, you must amend your legal governing documents to require the board of directors to balance profit and purpose. Now, this is how we’ve always run our business, so it’s nothing new. But it’s great to know that this is a requirement for every B Corp out there, and that it ties us all together.
The B Corp certification truly shows what we’re all about, with a strong commitment to the environment, communities and people. And as the first housebuilder to become certified, we feel particularly proud of our achievement and hope that we can inspire other companies to follow suit.
So, despite this being a challenging process in several ways, becoming a B Corp is and remains one of our proudest moments yet.
Find out more about B Corporation here
Want to become a B Corp? We’ve got some tips you might be interested in here
