Dara Foley speaks to companies with the accreditation and discovers why more Bath businesses are asking the big question.
A growing number of businesses in Bath including many Bath Unlimited members and partners – are weighing up whether to pursue B Corp certification. For many, the answer is an enthusiastic ‘yes’ – for others, hesitation remains. But what exactly is a B Corp, and what difference does certification make?
A B Corp is a company that meets independently verified, high standards of social and environmental performance, governance, transparency, and accountability. Certification assesses how well a business balances profit with its responsibility to workers, customers, communities, and the environment.
While the movement has been around for over a decade, it wasn’t until the pandemic that B Corps entered mainstream business consciousness. As consumer behaviour increasingly favoured ethically minded brands, what some assumed to be a passing trend instead became a sustained movement that shows no sign of slowing down.
When Clearly PR became certified in 2021 – only the second Bath business to do so – there were fewer than 450 B Corps in the UK. Today, that figure has surged to over 3,000 (and 10,000 globally). The South West now boasts one of the highest concentrations of B Corp businesses in the country, second only to London.
For Clearly PR’s managing director, Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, choosing to certify wasn’t about expecting dramatic financial gain. Instead, he believes not being certified would have placed the business at a competitive disadvantage.
Five years on, Clearly PR has experienced consistent growth in its average client spend, with numerous instances where B Corp status gave the agency a clear edge in competitive tenders. Certification has also transformed recruitment. The agency rarely relies on external recruiters anymore, as candidates increasingly seek out responsible businesses that align with their values and that has seen the business significantly reduce their hiring costs.
A similar story is unfolding at one of Bath’s most exciting brands, Canned Wine, part of Bath Unlimited. Founded in 2019, the company became a B Corp 12 months ago and its mission is to “elevate meaningful connections between people, planet, and place through the appreciation of wine.” They work with wineries committed to biodiversity and responsible land management, while innovating in packaging and design.
Co-founder Ben Franks believes the company is proof that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. In 2025, Canned Wine sold over one million cans of premium wine and aims to almost double revenues to £3 million this year. Their success isn’t attributed solely to B Corp status, but certification reflects and reinforces their commitment to people and planet. It also aligns with growing customer expectations that brands demonstrate clear social and environmental values.
Bath Unlimited’s strapline – “A World Heritage Site with World Class Business” – has never felt more fitting. Other Bath Unlimited companies include L&C mortgages, Rocketmakers, Shakeup cosmetics, Storm and The Good Economy. Underpinning this success is a clear appetite for responsible, purpose driven business practice. As Clearly PR and Canned Wine demonstrate, Bath is home to a new wave of companies leading the charge for positive change – and there appears to be no shortage of others eager to follow.
Bath Unlimited | bathunlimited.org
