Anthony Collins Solicitors achieves B Corp status
Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS) has announced that it has become the first law firm in the Midlands and the fourth in the UK to become a ‘B Corp’ – meaning it is held to the “highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.”
ACS describes itself as a ‘social purpose law firm’, and works with the social housing, health and social care, local government and charities sectors, as well as private individuals.
The firm has more than 350 employees and offices across the Midlands and North-West.
Companies certified as B Corps are evaluated on how their business success is measured, which shifts the focus “more to people and the planet as well as profit”, ACS notes.
Each company's business model, operations and structure are ‘rigorously assessed’ to ensure they demonstrate high social and environmental values, and they must provide a legal commitment to changing governance structures and be transparent on their performance.
There are 1,000 B Corp organisations in the UK and 6,000 businesses worldwide making up the B Corp community, including global brands such as Innocent, Patagonia, Charity Bank and The Body Shop.
The first law firm to obtain B-Corp status in the UK was Bates Wells in 2015, followed by Radiant Law and Mishcon de Reya.
Peter Hubbard, Senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: "ACS' values focus on improving lives, communities and society and this is now ingrained in the firm's DNA. Clients, staff and stakeholders can rely on our B Corp status as evidence of our positive social impact on society and the environment as a business. Becoming a B Corp is a natural development to our ongoing commitment to being a force for good alongside our clients.
"We have worked with B Lab, the body that certifies B Corps, over the last year to become a part of this community through a very rigorous application process. Each company is marked against the criteria and must achieve an 80-point benchmark as the first step, before being assessed on key areas including governance, workforce, community, the environment and customers.”
Lottie Winson