Columnist

Why B Corp must be more than window-dressing

People often ask if being a B Corp is essential in building a robust ESG strategy. 

In my experience, what matters far more is embedding positive principles and a sense of purpose into how you live and breathe your business. 

The results will then speak for themselves.

At Blu Sky, becoming B Corp last year was a milestone, and I’m proud of what it represents. 

But our ESG journey began long before that, starting with ambition and authentic action at the heart of our business.

We’ve seen that approach make a major positive impact not just in our own business, but with many of the businesses and organisations we work with. 

Purpose pays off, not just in terms of morale, but also when it comes to the bottom line.

ESG isn’t just appealing, it’s essential in hiring the best talent. 

According to Deloitte Insights, 40 per cent of millennials and Gen Z employees want to work for businesses that have strong sustainability credentials, and research from Glassdoor shows these businesses also see a 26 per cent increase in employee retention and a 22 per cent boost in productivity. 

Aligning around a shared mission builds morale, energy and loyalty, helping your team to feel part of something meaningful.

This is more than window-dressing.

Deloitte data shows companies with higher ESG scores gain greater business value. 

In real terms, strong ESG performance correlates with higher valuation, lower risk and stronger investor confidence.

That’s why, for us, a solid ESG strategy was an obvious step. 

We’ve worked with organisations like Net Zero Now and the Good Business Charter to ensure our business is making a positive impact. 

We scored 82.8 in our B Corp assessment, against an average of 50.9 for businesses undertaking the accreditation process. 

We’re now aiming to beat that in our next assessment in 2027.

Part of our success has been down to the businesses we choose to work with; we support ambitious businesses that want to grow responsibly and sustainably, helping them to embed ESG into their strategy, scaling operations and securing funding. 

We have found that flying the flag for ESG has helped us expand our client base, reaching more and more businesses who want to achieve similar ESG success – all while growing our business, investing in our team and making a significant positive impact on our community.

The North East business community is characterised by grit and creativity.

ESG provides a solid foundation on which we can thrive as a region. 

Whether navigating new regulations or managing supply chain shocks, ESG-driven businesses are more agile, trusted and resilient.

Meaningful action can start today. 

Begin by defining your purpose and aligning with your people. 

Work with your teams to turn words into action: set goals, track results, collaborate with and empower your people and communicate progress openly, transparently and consistently. 

When ESG lives in your operations, not just your reports, it becomes part of your culture. 

And when your people feel that, your clients and investors will feel it too.

We’re already seeing purpose-driven businesses outperform.

The ones that do good and do well are the ones people remember, value and want to work with. 

ESG isn’t a luxury – it’s your licence to lead, grow and thrive.

Wherever you are in your ESG journey, now is the time to strengthen your approach, cement your credentials and join us as sustainability ambassadors in our business community.

Jon Dudgeon is co-founder and chief executive of North Shields and Newcastle-based accountancy and business advisory firm Blu Sky

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