Table of Contents
Each March, businesses around the world mark B Corp Month, recognising organisations committed to balancing commercial success with positive impact.
But what is a B Corp, and why does certification matter?
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Certification is independently assessed by B Lab and recognises organisations that consider the wider impact of their decisions on employees, communities, customers, suppliers, and the environment.
For Mackman Group, B Corp certification represents something deeper than an accreditation. It reflects a long standing belief that how a business operates matters just as much as what it delivers.
During B Corp Month, we took the opportunity to reflect on what this certification means to our organisation and why responsible business has been central to how we operate since the business was founded.
Catching Up with the Founders
Mackman Group was founded in 2003 by Paul Mackman and Dr Gemma Mackman with a clear ambition: to build a consultancy that helps organisations grow while operating responsibly and ethically.
From the outset, their motivation was simple. Business should be capable of creating positive impact.
Paul Mackman, Group Managing Director and Co Founder, explains:
“When Gemma and I launched Mackman Group in 2003, we were motivated by the belief that business should be a force for good. We wanted to build an organisation that helped clients grow while also operating in a way that considered the wider impact of our decisions.”
“Becoming a Certified B Corporation does not change that belief. What it does is provide a framework that helps organisations measure their impact and continually improve how they operate.”
Dr Gemma Mackman, Co Founder and Chief Research Officer, highlights the importance of accountability.
“One of the aspects of B Corp certification that resonates most strongly with us is the emphasis on transparency and continuous improvement. It encourages organisations to regularly reflect on how they operate and identify ways they can do better.”
“That mindset aligns closely with how we approach research. Good decisions are informed by evidence, reflection, and a willingness to learn.”
The Growth of the B Corp Movement
When Mackman Group achieved B Corp certification in 2023, we joined a rapidly growing community of organisations committed to redefining success in business.
The United Kingdom is now home to more than 2,600 Certified B Corporations, making it the largest B Corp community in the world. These organisations collectively employ over 200,000 people across more than 120 industries.
Globally, there are now more than 10,000 Certified B Corporations working towards the shared principle of using business as a force for good.
Public awareness of B Corp certification continues to increase, reflecting growing interest in how organisations operate and the role they play in society.
For Mackman Group, being part of this community provides both encouragement and accountability. It connects us with organisations across a wide range of sectors that share a commitment to responsible growth and continuous improvement.
B Corp by the Numbers
• 10,000+ Certified B Corporations worldwide
• 2,600+ B Corps in the United Kingdom
• 200,000+ people employed by UK B Corps
• 120+ industries represented globally
A Shared Commitment Across the Team
While B Corp certification reflects the values of the founders, it is equally shaped by the wider Mackman Group team.
Bruce Burgoyne, Creative Director, sees responsible thinking as central to the work the organisation delivers for clients.
“From a creative perspective, the brands we help develop influence how organisations behave and communicate with their audiences. That carries a responsibility.”
“Being part of a B Corp encourages us to think carefully about how our work helps clients build brands that are transparent, authentic, and aligned with their values.”
Across the organisation, this shared commitment influences both internal decisions and the work we deliver for clients.
Responsible Business in Practice
Our strapline, “Together We Grow,” reflects our belief that growth should be responsible, sustainable, and shared.
Being a B Corp encourages us to consider the impact of everyday decisions across our organisation.
Examples of how we apply these principles include:
Supporting our people
We are proud to be a Living Wage and Living Hours employer, recognising that fair pay and financial security play an important role in supporting wellbeing.
Maintaining ethical research and consultancy practices
As a Market Research Society Company Partner and a Chartered Institute of Marketing Company Partner, we follow professional codes of conduct that guide ethical practice, transparency, and accountability.
Considering environmental impact in our operations
We regularly review our environmental policies and seek practical ways to improve our operational sustainability.
Working with responsible suppliers
Where possible, we choose suppliers whose values align with our own commitment to responsible business practices.
While these actions may appear modest individually, together they reflect a wider commitment to responsible decision making.
Responsible Thinking in the Work We Deliver
For Mackman Group, responsible business is not limited to internal operations. It also shapes the work we undertake for clients.
Through our branding, marketing, research, and HR consultancy services, we help organisations better understand their audiences, make informed strategic decisions, and build brands that are transparent and trustworthy.
Increasingly, organisations recognise that reputation, purpose, and ethical conduct are closely connected.
By combining strategic consultancy with evidence based research through Mackman Research, we support organisations in navigating these expectations while building sustainable long term growth.
Our work is also increasingly informed by impact measurement frameworks such as Impact Five, helping organisations understand and demonstrate the wider value they create.
Continuous Improvement
One of the defining features of B Corp certification is its focus on continuous improvement.
Rather than treating certification as a destination, B Corps are encouraged to regularly review their practices and identify opportunities to strengthen their social and environmental impact.
For Mackman Group, this aligns closely with our own philosophy.
Strong organisations evolve over time, learning from experience and adapting as expectations change.
As part of the B Corp community, we remain committed to continually improving how we operate as we look ahead to our next recertification in 2026.
Why Responsible Business Matters More Than Ever
Expectations of business have evolved significantly in recent years.
Customers increasingly consider how organisations treat their employees, how responsibly they operate, and how transparent they are about their impact. Employees are also seeking organisations whose values align with their own.
Responsible business is therefore no longer simply about compliance or reputation. It has become an important driver of trust, resilience, and long term growth.
For Mackman Group, the B Corp framework reinforces a belief that has guided the organisation since its founding: when businesses make thoughtful decisions that benefit people, communities, and the environment, stronger organisations and stronger societies emerge.
Reflecting During B Corp Month
B Corp Month provides an opportunity to recognise businesses that are working to create a more responsible and transparent economy.
For Mackman Group, it is a moment to celebrate the progress made by the global B Corp community while also recognising that responsible business is an ongoing journey.
As expectations of organisations continue to evolve, we remain committed to learning, improving, and ensuring that the way we operate reflects the values we believe business should stand for.
To learn more about the B Corp movement, visit B Lab UK.
You can also explore more about our own journey and commitment to responsible business on our B Corp page.