Virgin Money introduces new self-certification scheme to help businesses highlight their commitment to sustainability

Virgin Money has introduced a new self-certification scheme to its Sustainable Business Coach, designed to help businesses better demonstrate their commitments to sustainability and get on the path to achieving their environmental and social goals.

The Future-Fit Engaged self-certification scheme is the first of its kind in banking and has been developed by Virgin Money in partnership with Future-Fit Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to catalyse the transition to a regenerative society.

The free-to-use tool, which can be accessed via Virgin Money’s Sustainable Business Coach app, enables businesses to set environmental and social ambitions, take better day-to-day decisions to achieve these and demonstrate their progress to stakeholders, with the self-certification achieved when they meet the Future-Fit Engaged criteria. The scheme forms part of the Sustainable Business Coach, which helps companies to determine the impact of their business on the environment and wider society, prioritise their sustainability targets and the actions required to meet these and track delivery.

Scott McFarlane, sustainability lead for business banking at Virgin Money, said: “Customers and stakeholders rightly expect businesses of all sizes to prioritise ESG and demonstrate actions to minimise their environmental and social impact. The new Future-Fit Engaged self-certification on our Sustainable Business Coach apps helps SMEs to educate themselves on the most effective ways to operate more sustainably and make positive decisions to achieve this, backed by clear goals and progress tracking.

"Offering access to a straightforward, independent certification that will encourage more resilient and sustainable businesses, is just one way we’re helping change business for good in partnership with Future-Fit Foundation.”

Martin Rich, CEO & Co-founder, Future-Fit Foundation, said: “Future-Fit Engaged recognises a company's first steps on the journey to becoming a truly regenerative business. We're therefore delighted to continue deepening our partnership with Virgin Money in this way and working together on supporting businesses to build a flourishing future for all.”

• By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily
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