DUNDEE B-CORP NAMED BEST IN THE WORLD

Caroline McKenna (Far Left) with the Social Good Connect

A Dundee-based not-for-profit, which matches business employees with local and remote volunteering opportunities, has been hailed one of the best B-Corps in the World. 

Social Good Connect, which has made a powerful and tangible difference to individuals, communities and charities in need since its launch in 2020, was accredited as a B-Corp in December 2021, following an extensive, independent vetting process that scrutinises everything from green credentials to employment policies. 

Certified B Corporations (B-Corps) are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. A common analogy is that B Corp Certification is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee.

Now, Social Good Connect has been awarded Best for the World 2022 status by B Lab, a distinction granted to B Corps ranked in the top 5% for one of five impact areas – community, customers, environment, governance, and workers. Social Good Connect was singled out in the ‘governance’ category after a rigorous assessment of its ethics, transparency and evidence of social and environmental performance.

The 11-strong social enterprise celebrated its two-year anniversary last month. Its innovative digital matching platform enables business employees to share their professional and personal skills with charities in need. 

 Over 50 businesses, from SMEs to multi-nationals, have already joined the movement, including Scottish National Investment Bank, Insights, DC Thomson, Thorntons Law, NCR, and Ninja Kiwi. 

Together, they are supporting a growing number of 350 stretched and struggling charities, including NSPCC, The Brae – Riding for the Disabled, Fintry Community Garden and Tayside Re-Users (all Dundee), Sepsis Research FEAT (Glasgow), Rock Trust (Edinburgh) and Aberdeen for a Fairer World.

Caroline McKenna, CEO and Founder of Social Good Connect and the B-Corp Co-Chair for Scotland said, “We were exceptionally proud to be accredited as B-Corp last year following a highly rigorous process, and to be part a positive, global ethical movement. To have now received news that we’re officially one of the best in the world is a great reward for the team’s huge commitment to making a positive difference.

Being a B-Corp shows the world what your organisation is about, rather than what you claim to be about. For that reason, it carries enormous weight. Becoming a B Corp proves the benefit we’re creating for people and the environment, generating credibility and trust amongst those we engage with, from funders to those who might want to work with us.”

She added: Engaged employees are the best employees and, by walking the walk and leading by example in our own team, we’re also showcasing our commitment to the charities and businesses looking to work with us.

And, although being one of the best in the world sounds unbeatable, we’re not resting on our laurels. The benchmarks push you to maintain and improve your social and environmental benefits. Yes, we’re making a huge difference, but we’ve only just started. 

 We’re also on a mission to share our knowledge, learning’s, and best practices with others, the B Corp community and businesses yet to sign up, to encourage innovation and transformation across the country.”

There are thought to be around 30 B-Corps in Scotland, 700 in the UK and 5,000 across the world, all required to undergo the verification process every three years. Each B-Corp is unified by the common goal of building an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system. 

Dan Osusky, Head of Standards and Insights at B Lab Global, added, “Each Best for the World edition is an opportunity to raise the bar for how businesses can and should operate to create real and lasting positive impact for their workers, customers, communities, and the environment.  

While no company is perfect and even the best companies can and should continue to strive to improve, the B Corps recognised as Best for the World can provide us all — standards setters, B Corps, non-B Corps, and sustainability advocates — with inspiration on what true leadership in business can look like to make progress on addressing our current global challenges.”